CETEP

The Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy is an interdisciplinary network of scholars and partners that extends across the University of Tennessee, to every level of government, the nonprofit sector, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and industry representatives. 

Overview

We build on the legacy of Senator Howard H. Baker Jr.’s work in the areas of energy and environmental policy, studying the interaction of energy, transportation, and the environment to develop economically sound policies that improve quality of life for citizens in Tennessee, the U.S., and around the world.

Mission: To address critical energy and environmental challenges by creating policy relevant research and educational opportunities that integrate natural, physical, and social science.

Conference room full of people watching speaker from a side view.

CETEP Events

CETEP hosts a variety of events, including E&E Forums and the Southeast Energy Policy Forum. If you are interested in learning more or exploring recordings and summaries of past events, please view the link below.

Upcoming Events

Stay connected with CETEP through our upcoming events, where students, faculty, and policy leaders come together to explore timely issues shaping our communities. Our events offer opportunities to engage, learn, and be part of meaningful conversations that extend beyond the classroom.

Past Events

Whether you want to rewatch a previous CETEP event or catch one you missed, our event recaps are a great place to start. Each recap offers a brief overview of what was covered, along with a direct link to the full video recording.

Overhead photo of Big South Fork scenery

The energy and environmental challenges we face will not wait for perfect solutions — they demand rigorous inquiry, courageous policy, and the conviction that knowledge, honestly pursued, can enable the economy and the environment to coexist. 

Charles Sims
TVA Distinguished Professor of Energy and Environmental Policy
Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy

E&E Forums

CETEP hosts a variety of events, including E&E Forums and the Southeast Energy Policy Forum. If you are interested in learning more or exploring recordings and summaries of past events, please view the link below.

Research

CETEP’s research integrates natural, physical, and social science to address issues of energy consumption and conservation, nuclear energy, renewable energy, air and water pollution, ecosystem services, and climate change. Our affiliated faculty and scholars work at the intersection of energy and transportation technology innovation, the natural environment, energy markets, and human behavior.

Southeast Energy Policy Forum

CETEP hosts a variety of events, including E&E Forums and the Southeast Energy Policy Forum. If you are interested in learning more or exploring recordings and summaries of past events, please view the link below.

News

See how CETEP faculty and students are making an impact beyond the classroom. This includes media features and expert commentary to coverage of student research and achievements.

Photo of Baker School faculty member Charles B. Sims lecturing in a classroom

Academic Offerings

The Baker School offers several degrees that prepare students to produce and critically evaluate public policy that enables clean air and water, provides reliable and affordable energy, and preserves healthy ecosystems.

Undergraduate Certificates

The Baker School’s undergraduate certificates are available as either add-on or stand-alone credentials for currently enrolled students. Each certificate consists of 12 credit hours of coursework. Explore the Energy Policy Certificate and the Nuclear Policy Certificate.

Graduate Certificates

The Baker School’s graduate certificates are available both as add-on credentials for currently enrolled students and as stand-alone programs for students at other institutions or for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Explore the Agricultural and Environmental Policy Certificate and the Energy Policy Certificate.

Concentrations

Beyond prerequisites and core requirements, the undergraduate major consists of 45 credit hours, including 30 hours of core coursework, a minimum of 3 hours in professional development, and 12 hours in a concentration. Explore CETEP-focused concentrations in Agricultural Policy, Energy Policy, and Nuclear Policy.

A group photo of Chancellor Donde Plowman, Jim Haslam, Charles Sims, Joe Hoagland, Marianne Wanamaker to recognize the Distinguished Professorship endowment in Senator Baker's office.

CETEP Affiliates

The Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy’s faculty, experts, and affiliates bring together interdisciplinary expertise to address today’s most pressing energy, transportation, and environmental challenges through impactful research, policy engagement, and real-world collaboration.