MEDIA ADVISORY
MARCH 13, 2023
Kelly Roberts
Communications Specialist
Office: 901.222.2014
Cell: 901.378.1224
Email: Kelly.Roberts@shelbycountytn.gov
SHELBY COUNTY MAYOR LEE HARRIS AND MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY DIVISION OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT TO HOST HISTORIC RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR NEW SHELBY COUNTY SOLAR PROJECT
Shelby County Government’s new solar project is the first solar project by a local government in our region to generate power and offset taxpayer costs.
WHO: Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development Director John Zeanah, Shelby County Chief Information Officer and Director Sandra Perry, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, The Sierra Club - Tennessee Chapter
WHAT: Shelby County Solar Project Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
WHEN: 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, 2023
WHERE: Shelby County Construction Code Enforcement (back left parking lot), 6465 Mullins Station Rd., Memphis, TN 38134
Shelby County, TN – On Tuesday, March 14, Shelby County Government will cut the ribbon on recently installed solar arrays at Shelby County Construction Code Enforcement and the Shelby County East Data Center. The Shelby County Solar Project is the first solar project by a local government entity in the region to generate power. The solar arrays will fully power the Shelby County Construction Code Enforcement and Shelby County East Data Center buildings. The solar project offsets emissions equal to 664,000 miles driven in a car and 30,000 gallons of gas. Upon completion of the solar arrays, Construction Code Enforcement and the East Data Center will both be zero net energy buildings.
The Shelby County Solar Project builds on the Harris Administration’s investment in infrastructure to reduce emissions and combat climate change. The solar arrays allow Shelby County Government to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels as well as reduce its carbon footprint in our community.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris: “Without bold action, Shelby County will continue to see extreme weather, rising temperatures, and dire circumstances for our next generation. Climate change has already affected our community with winter weather, flooding, and increasingly severe weather that constantly tests our infrastructure. Transitioning to solar powered energy is one way for us to reduce our shared impact on the environment, save taxpayer dollars, and increase our resilience to the worst effects of climate change. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made so far toward reaching our vision of a sustainable community.”
Shelby County Budget Chairman, Commissioner Michael Whaley: “Shelby County Government is taking the lead on innovative, green, and sustainable initiatives for our community. Our solar project is a historic accomplishment, and it is only one part of the comprehensive approach we are taking to reduce emissions. Our next step is Shelby County’s Green Fleet Ordinance which I am proud to sponsor. By transitioning to more clean energy sources and investing in green vehicles, we are making a big difference in our environment and saving taxpayer dollars.”
Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development Director John Zeanah: “When our division developed the Memphis Area Climate Action Plan, we identified that buildings are the most significant source of emissions in Shelby County Government and we took action. I’m proud that the Harris Administration is taking a huge step to mitigate our impact on the environment and we look forward to continuing our work together to combat climate change.”
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Civic Engagement Consultant Pearl Walker: “We are very excited to see the Shelby County Solar Project come to fruition. Shelby County Government is leading the way in the transition to clean energy and I’m hopeful other major organizations in our community will follow their lead.”
(End of Release)