Green stimulus
Federal funds go to Cleveland State for energy program
By Joan Garrett jgarrett@timesfreepress.com
Online: Hear Allen Gentry talk about what the stimulus grant will do to help Cleveland State. Comment. CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Cleveland State Community College is the only community college in the state to receive a federal stimulus grant, and officials say it will be used to improve the college’s green energy program. The $328,000 grant will enable the energy-efficient construction program to expand curriculum, buy equipment and create new programs, officials said. “We are hoping to further develop our community outreach,” program director Allen Gentry said. “We have a vision of a Web site where people can submit email questions related to energy, and we can provide them with answers. We would also like to develop a 1-800 number where we can also take these questions by phone.” Students in the energy efficient construction program are trained in home energy rating, solar panel installation and geothermal heat pumps and would be able to answer people’s questions about lowering their home energy bills, he said. The technology department at Cleveland State now has one set of equipment that students can use to help people weatherize their homes. The grant will pay for two more sets of blower-door test equipment, infrared cameras and laptop computers, Mr. Gentry said. Blower-door test equipment allows students to measure the amount of air that leaks out of a house. The infrared cameras will capture images for homeowners to see, he said. “We would also like to put together some starter kits to give to homeowners that are full of information and basic items like compact fluorescent light bulbs and insulating materials that go over outlets and switch covers,” he said. U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., who helped Cleveland State apply for the grant, said the money is good news for Southeast Tennessee. “Our manufacturing-based technology agenda in the Tennessee Valley Corridor is paying big dividends in the transportation and energy sectors,” Rep. Wamp said in a statement. “Cleveland State is wise to grow in these directions to train workers in the areas that will expand our state’s economy.” Cleveland State President Carl Hite said the grant will allow the college to meet the growing demand for training in the area of green construction. “Homeowners are looking for ways to save money,” Dr. Hite said. “Gov. Phil Bredesen has talked about Tennessee being an energy state, and we want to make sure that happens.” Staff File Photo by Tim Barber James Peterson, right, listens to a question during the first of six Home Energy Rating classes held at Cleveland State Community College each Thursday.
