The Double Tree Hotel  has become the first hotel in Oak Ridge to earn green certification under the Tennessee Green Hospitality program.

  "The Doubletree Hotel is thrilled to be the first hotel in Oak Ridge to be certified," said general manager Gretchen Julius, "we hope to inspire the many other hotels here, and statewide, to participate in the important Tennessee Green Hospitality program."

The Tennessee Hospitality Association's green program encourages lodging facilities statewide to become aware of their impact on the environment and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint while increasing their sustainability.

The city of Knoxville, the University of Tennessee and UT-Battelle are the recipients of more than $1 million of a $100 million federal grant to expand the solar industry in Tennessee, News Sentinel writer Rebecca Ferrar reported Sunday.

Solar-powered charging stations in three locations should start being installed as soon as the contract is complete. UT-Battelle is the contractor managing Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which will conduct research on solar use after the stations are installed.

One of the first solar projects funded in part by the Tennessee Solar Institute has been completed at a farm in Midway, Tenn.

Chuckey Creek Farms has completed installation of a 10-kilowatt heating system, Douglas Watson of the daily Greeneville Sun reports. Tom Leach, the farm's owner, received a $20,000 grantfrom the Tennessee Solar Institute.

TVA will credit the farm 12 cents over current rates for each kilowatt produced during the next 10 years. The project is forecast to pay for itself in three years through incentives and energy savings.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -  Main Street/Green Street Innovation Grants have been awarded to 21 "green" and sustainable projects in downtown communities across the state, Matt Kisber, Economic and Community Development Commissioner, said Tuesday. 

"These innovative 'green' projects showcase our Tennessee downtown communities' commitment to environmental and downtown revitalization efforts and allow them to lead by example," said Kisber.  "The Main Street/Green Street proposed projects will not only enhance and improve individual downtown communities, but they also support the state's efforts to advance sustainability and economic development across Tennessee."

Certified Tennessee Main Street Programs were eligible to apply for a reimbursable $5,000 grant from ECD's Main Street Green/Street Innovation Grant program to develop or continue innovative projects within their community's downtown that illustrate tangible results through "green" and sustainable activities.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus has been recognized for it's commitment to renewable energy by a regional clean energy organization.

UT has received the  Green Power Leadership Award from The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

Founded in 1985, SACE is a regional organization focused on developing clean energy solutions throughout the Southeast.

The Knoxville campus was selected due to its participation in TVA/KUB's Green Power Switch Program in which the Student Environmental Initiatives fund purchases renewable energy for the campus.

UT Knoxville is the largest purchaser of green power in the Southeast and was the first university in the state to fund the green power through a student-approved fee, according to a press release.

University of Tennessee students and faculty recently participated in two years of research that is taking shape in the form of a 750-square-foot bungalow on a small lot in Norris.

The research project, known as the New Norris House, combines historic sensibilities with market realities to produce what the university and its corporate partners believe could be a prototypical green home for the future, writes Larissa Brass in a recent News Sentinel piece.

The initiative has received funding from the Environmental Protection Agency and endeavors to model not simply the energy efficiency, sustainable materials and reduced environmental footprint expected of green construction - although it features all those things - but also a more eco-conscious way of life, according to Tricia Stuth, assistant professor at UT's College of Architecture and Design and co-lead faculty for the project.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As part of Tennessee's ongoing Sustainable Tourism initiative, a green certification workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 13 in Knoxville at the Knoxville Convention Center.

Sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, this workshop, one of five scheduled throughout the state this year, will facilitate discussions and solicit partner input regarding the development of a state green certification program for the tour and travel industry.

In addition, the events will provide continued sustainable tourism resources, case studies, best practices and access to leading experts.

Three months after making grants available to businesses looking to invest in solar power, the Tennessee Solar Institute has awarded more than $9 million to 108 applicants across the state.

The grants will go, on a reimbursement basis, to projects varying in size from about 4 kilowatts to nearly 1 megawatt, News Sentinel business writer Larisa Brass wrote in last week's update on the program.

When completed, the installations will produce more than 5.8 megawatts of power across the state, enough to power the equivalent of 600 to 700 homes. The funding is part of $62.5 million in federal stimulus funds the state is using for a variety of solar-related initiatives.

Two free green energy workshops are planned Thursday at Walters State Community College's Morristown campus, Room 110 of the Clifford H. Bo Henry Center for Business and Technology.

Women in Green, from 10 a.m.-noon, will discuss women in the green workforce and how to encourage more women to become involved through entrepreneurship and employment.

Panelists include Toni Winston of Tiburon Energy/Tiburon Construction; Evelyn Winther of FLS Energy; Sherry Furr of InsulTech; Emily DeVillers of the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition and Mary Shaffer Speight of Efficient Energy Tennessee.

Unraveling the Myths Behind Green Building and Construction, 1-3 p.m., will discuss what "green" means in construction and look at the effects of "greenwashing." Is green building worth the added expense? How does going green affect the bottom line of building construction and maintenance?

Reservations may be made by calling 423-318-2348.