MLGW Partners with TVA to Award $210,000 Grant to Perea Elementary Through School Uplift Program

MLGW held a celebration today for Perea Elementary who was awarded a $210,000 in Building Energy Upgrade and Learning Environment grants through Tennessee Valley Authority's School Uplift program.

Tight budgets and aging buildings leave many schools facing a difficult decision between funding learning programs and making needed facility upgrades. Since 2021, TVA has invested $8.2 million in School Uplift grants and helped over 323 schools solve that problem and save on their energy bills.

School Uplift's year-long energy management training program helps school districts make smart energy choices that improve the classroom learning environment and save money through decreased energy use. Participating schools compete to earn $10,000 to $200,000 grants by cutting their energy waste through behavioral changes and by engaging students, faculty, staff and community.

"School Uplift is another example of how MLGW and TVA are partnering to invest in our community," said MLGW President & CEO Doug McGowen. "This grant will allow school administrators to enhance their facilities, making them more energy-efficient, healthy, and comfortable for teachers and students. The faculty, staff, and students showed outstanding dedication to energy efficiency throughout the past school year and truly earned this recognition through their hard work."

On average, participating schools have saved nearly 10% on their annual energy bills from behavior changes alone. When savings from grant-funded energy upgrades are added, this year's School Uplift participants have estimated total energy savings of 5.5 GWh or the amount of electricity used by 808 homes in one year.

"Every dollar invested in our schools helps districts allocate resources to what truly matters - providing quality education for our children," said Ray Knotts, vice president of TVA's Demand Management. "We're proud of the winners of this year's School Uplift grants, who are dedicated to reducing energy waste and building a stronger, more sustainable future."

TVA EnergyRight and MLGW will continue to recruit K-12 schools for the 2026-2027 school year. Visit EnergyRight.com/school-uplift or contact Natasha Rosko, MLGW Key Accounts at [email protected] to express interest in participating in this exciting program.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving the residents of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee since 1939. MLGW consistently provides customers with rates that are amongst the lowest in the nation and stewards a water supply from artesian wells that is minimally treated. Actively engaged in promoting the prosperity of Memphis and Shelby County, MLGW supports the seven local chambers in its service area and makes doing business with local, minority- and women-owned business a priority. Deeply rooted in the community, its employees generously donate time and money in support of bettering the Greater Memphis area.