KNOXVILLE — The Tennessee Valley Authority has partnered with four Valley airports and Federal Express to replace a portion of their diesel-powered ground support equipment with no emissions, all-electric gear.

In addition to the FedEx World Hub in Memphis, the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, Tri-Cities Regional Airport and Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority are receiving TVA cash incentives based on the type and amount of equipment purchased. More than 55 pieces of diesel-powered gate equipment will be replaced over the next few months which will reduce fossil fuel consumption and emissions within the Tennessee Valley region.

“We don’t necessarily think about airport ground support equipment when considering air pollution, but this equipment is constantly in motion and continually produces emissions,” said Cindy Herron, TVA vice president of EnergyRight Solutions programs. “With this program, we have the potential to save more than 4,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year in the Tennessee Valley.”

This project is one of several non-traditional ways that TVA is working to make the air cleaner in the Valley. “We are on track to reduce the CO2 emissions produced in our own facilities by 40 percent by 2020,” Herron added. “We are pleased to be able to help other facilities do the same.”

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power distributors serving more than 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.