KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Tennessee Valley Authority has named Robert M. "Bob" Balzar as the new vice president of Energy Efficiency and Demand Response.

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Balzar comes to TVA after serving as director of conservation resources for Seattle City Light since 2007. He headed residential, commercial and industrial conservation and demand response programs for the municipal utility system that serves nearly 1 million Seattle, Wash., area residents.

"Bob has extensive experience in developing and leading large, multi-disciplined organizations and managing complex energy efficiency, demand response and renewable programs," John Trawick, TVA senior vice president of Commercial Operations and Pricing, said. "His experience will be invaluable to us as we continue to grow and enhance our energy efficiency programs, under the direction of the TVA Board, to meet the demands of our stakeholders."

Balzar, who will join TVA June 21, has more than 20 years of experience in energy efficiency, conservation and renewable programs. At TVA, he will direct targeted efforts to achieve more efficient use of energy and reduction of energy usage during periods of highest electricity demand on the TVA system. At Seattle City Light, Balzar exceeded energy efficiency goals and developed a five-year Conservation Action Plan for the company. He has served as a representative for the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. He also is on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

In addition, Balzar led efforts for the next generation of Energy Star and Water Smart Homes while working as director of marketing and product development for Pinnacle Homes in Las Vegas.

As director of energy efficiency and conservation at Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Power Co., he headed programs that reduced Nevada peak demand by more than 200 megawatts and saved more than $100 million in annual energy costs. He also established SolarGenerations, Nevada's state-funded solar photovoltaic rebate program that delivers more than 1,700 kilowatts from 315 projects.

Balzar has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nevada-Reno and is a professional engineer in Nevada and California.  

The Tennessee Valley Authority, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, provides electricity for 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states at prices below the national average. TVA, which receives no taxpayer money and makes no profits, also provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists utilities and state and local governments with economic development.

SOURCE Tennessee Valley Authority

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