CSAS’s successful School Uplift application to win a $410,000 grant from EPB and TVA was led by a group of highly motivated students, from Left to Right: Karen Lin, Rithvik Siddenki, Sullivan Smith and Aarev Patel (not pictured Hetvi Patel)
Through a partnership with EPB, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, has been selected to win grant of $410,000 from the TVA EnergyRight School Uplift program. The funding includes $400,000 for building energy upgrades along with a $10,000 Learning Environment Grant to make non-energy improvements by engaging students and faculty.
As Hamilton County School’s oldest and most historic school facility, some portions of the building are more than 100 years old. The grant funding will be used for comprehensive energy renovations including the replacement of all the school’s aging A/C window units with modern, highly energy efficient window units with a dedicated outdoor air supply to improve air quality. Through the project the school’s florescent lighting will also be replaced with energy efficient LED light bulbs.
School Uplift is a year-long energy management training program developed with the State of Tennessee’s Energy Efficient Schools Initiative that helps public schools make smart energy choices that improve the classroom learning environment and save money through decreased energy use.
Through the program, EPB Energy Pros worked with teachers at CSAS to complete a comprehensive energy assessment while also engaging students in a series of activities including the formation of a student “Energy Squad” who took responsibility for enacting energy efficiency measures on a daily basis at the school. School leaders also worked with EPB, TVA and green|spaces to organize “Energy Day at CSAS,” a program of activities to increase student knowledge of practical energy efficiency measures and the value they provide.
“We are proud to celebrate this incredible achievement by the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences,” said Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson. “This $410,000 grant from EPB and TVA signifies a leap towards sustainable progress for our school buildings but also highlights the extraordinary capabilities and ambitions of our students. I want to extend my deepest congratulations and gratitude to Karen Lin, Aarav Patel, Hetvi Patel, Rithvik Siddenki, and Sullivan Smith. These exceptional seniors have exemplified the spirit of leadership and commitment to community service by spearheading the grant application process. They have not only secured a significant resource that will benefit the entire school community but have also furthered a legacy of student-driven change and impact in Hamilton County Schools. As we move forward, let their work inspire each of us to continue creating opportunity by design for all students, ensuring that every child thrives and experiences a future without limits."
“Since coming into office, we have been focused on modernizing school facilities across Hamilton County to expand opportunities for students,” said Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. “This program is a great example of two of our major employers coming together to invest in students at one of the highest performing schools in the state.”
“Every dollar invested in our schools helps districts allocate resources to where it matters most — educating our children,” said Monika Beckner, vice president of TVA’s Energy Services & Programs. “We’re inspired by the winners of this year’s School Uplift grants and proud of their dedication to reducing energy waste and building a sustainable future for us all.”
“EPB was honored to work with CSAS’s engaged faculty and students to put together their winning application,” said EPB Energy Pro David Vanzant, who is a Key Customer Engineer in EPB's Commercial Energy Department and School Uplift Representative for EPB. “We’re always ready to provide free energy expertise to help all of our customers, but CSAS’s students and teachers made this application successful by showing their commitment to learning about energy efficiency and applying what they learned.”
CSAS joins over 225 schools to have completed School Uplift over the past four years, competing to earn grants for building upgrades and other learning environment improvements. On average, participating schools save nearly 10% on their annual energy bills from behavior changes alone.
Recently, the School Uplift program was recognized as a 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by ENERGY STAR, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
TVA EnergyRight and EPB are currently recruiting public K-12 schools for the 2025-2026 school year. Visit energyright.com/business-industry/school-uplift/ to express interest in participating in this exciting program.
More than 1,000 students were in attendance to learn that their school would benefit from a $410,000 grant from EPB and TVA that will be used to update the schools airconditioning and lighting with more energy efficient equipment that will also improve the air quality for student comfort and health. The successful grant application effort was led by five CSAS students and two teachers, front row from left to right: Aarev Patel, CSAS Senior); Rithvik Siddenki, CSAS Senior; Sullivan Smith, CSAS Senior; Karen Lin, CSAS Senior; Kelly Davis, CSAS teacher; Jennifer Mitchell, former-CSAS teacher who now serves as assistant principal for East Ridge High School (not pictured Hetvi Patel, CSAS Senior).