Middle Tennessee Electric recognized by City of Franklin for ‘green’ efforts

Middle Tennessee Electric has been recognized by the City of Franklin as a member of the Live Green Partner program.

“The program is open to any business in Franklin on a volunteer basis,” City of Franklin Sustainability/Grants Coordinator Andrew Orr said. “Approximately 130 businesses in Franklin have signed up.”

The Live Green Partner program, which is an organized effort by local businesses and the City of Franklin, recognizes businesses in Franklin that promote sustainable efforts in the work place.

MTEMC, which serves power to primarily Cannon, Rutherford, Williamson and Wilson counties, achieved this recognition through a volunteer company-wide effort known as “the Green Committee.” Its purpose is to research and find ways to better save energy, recycle, reuse and waste less within the company.

“We’ve been able to establish a company-wide recyclying program, organize an internal campaign to keep unnecesary lights off and have worked to remove lighting in areas not needed,” MTEMC Franklin employee and vice-chairman of Green Committee Roger Jenkins said. “Now, we are examining other possibilities with the hopes of expanding upon these efforts and moving forward with new ideas.”

Middle Tennessee Electric accrued enough points through their sustainability efforts to reach the gold level status of the program. The Live Green Partner program lays out criteria points, which give businesses the opportunity to affiliate with the program as an entry level member or obtain enough points to become a platinum level member, the top tier level.

“The Sustainability Community Action Plan requires each business to implement at least 20 points worth of intiatives to qualify for our partner level,” Orr said. “The more sustainable you are, the higher level of certification you can achieve.”

Businesses acquire points by implementing conservation measures and demonstrating a culture of sustainability as approved by the city’s commission. A full list of approved measures can be seen on their Web site at www.franklin-gov.com.

Posted on May 6, 2010.

 

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