Representatives from the US Department of Energy recently visited Chattanooga to recognize the city for its energy efficiency leadership as part of the Better Buildings Initiative.

Since Chattanooga joined the initiative in 2015, it has reached and surpassed its goal (of reducing energy use throughout its portfolios by at least 20% over 10 years) thanks to energy efficiency advancements like:

New automation systems
LED lighting + solar farm installations
Modifications to wastewater treatment processes — like a new equalization station + biosolids management system

Many of the more recent projects took place at the Moccasin Bend Environmental Campus, where they have reduced the cost to power the plant by $1.4 million annually, making the campus the single greatest contributor to the city’s energy efficiency savings since entering the challenge in 2015.

More by the numbers

27% | Chattanooga's annual energy savings compared to 2013 levels
24% | Chattanooga's annual water savings compared to 2013 levels
~$2 million | How much the city has saved in operational costs, thanks to energy-saving efforts