A pact joining UT, TVA, and ORNL in research and education on energy and environmental issues was signed October 31, 1991, by the heads of the three participating institutions. The pact established the Joint Institute for Energy and Environment, the mission of which was to promote and develop support for cooperative research and educational programs with emphasis on energy and environmental projects. The entity had a board of directors with two members from each of the three participants. In 2006 the JIEE became a part of the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment.