Memphis in May Makes the Switch

Memphis In May officials have agreed to sponsor 82,500 kWh of renewable energy from MLGW through TVA's Green Power Switch program. The green energy purchased is equivalent to what the organization uses to power events in Tom Lee Park during May.

According to TVA, Memphis in May is the first festival in the Tennessee Valley to offset 100% of its power use by sponsoring renewable generation. MIM is one of nearly 800 households, businesses and organizations participating in Green Power Switch in Shelby County, joining more than 12,000 across the Tennessee Valley. Locally, MLGW participants sponsor more than 6,450 MWh of green power annually--enough to meet the annual electric needs of 430 average Memphis households.

MIM's commitment, which will add $2,200 to their utility cost during the month of May, will have a significant environmental impact. Their green power support has the same environmental benefit as recycling 4.2 million aluminum cans, or planting 275 acres of trees, or recycling 243 tons of newspaper, or removing 92 cars from the roads for one year!

In scientific terms, MIM's commitment will result in avoided emissions equal to: 741 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), 4.95 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 1.93 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2)--all contributors to air quality problems and global warming.

TVA generates renewable energy for Green Power Switch at 18 locations, including a 26-kW solar generation facility on the roof of the BRIDGES building in Memphis and a unique collaboration with the City of Memphis Maxson Wastewater Treatment Plant, which captures and delivers methane--a byproduct of the treatment process--to TVA's adjacent Allen Fossil Plant, where it is co-burned with coal to generate electricity.

Customers interested in enrolling or learning more about green power, can click here.