Sustain Louisville E-Newsletter

sustain louisville enewsletter

May 11, 2016

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In this issue:

Attend Monday's Urban Heat Island Public Forum

Dr. Brian Stone, author of Louisville's Urban Heat Management Study, will present his results on Monday, May 16, 2016, at 6:00pm in the Egan Leadership Center at Spalding University, 901 S 4th St. The event is free and open to the public. 

Dr. Brian Stone

Comment on the Urban Heat Management Study

The Office of Sustainability wants your feedback on the Louisville Urban Heat Management Study, released April 25, 2016. Submit comments via this online form through Friday, June 24, 2016. 

The public is invited to attend community forums on the results of the Urban Heat Management Study: 

  • Monday, May 16, 2016, at 6pm, Egan Leadership Center at Spalding University (901 S 4th St) - with Dr. Brian Stone, author of the study
  • Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at 6pm, Southwest Library (9725 Dixie Hwy)
  • Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at 5:30pm, Middletown Library (200 Juneau Dr)
  • Thursday, June 16, 2016, at 6pm, Louisville Central Community Center (1300 W Muhammad Ali Blvd)

Each meeting will last approximately one hour and will include time for questions and comments.


Contribute to the Solid Waste 10-year Plan - 5 minutes or less

The Solid Waste Management Division of Louisville Metro Public Works is developing a ten-year solid waste master plan. The results may impact every household in Louisville/Jefferson County long into the future. We ask citizens to take part in the planning process in two ways:

Take a five minute survey
Attend a public meeting

  • Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at 6pm,California Community Center (1600 St Catherine St)
  • Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 6pm, Southwest Public Library (9725 Dixie Highway)
  • Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 2pm, Newburg Public Library (4800 Exeter Avenue)
  • Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 6pm, Lyndon Baptist Church (8025 New LaGrange Rd)

Seeking Nominations for the Louisville Energy Alliance Board

LEA logo

The Louisville Energy Alliance (LEA) is seeking new board members. The LEA promotes energy efficiency and conservation through ENERGY STAR programs and certifications. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the LEA offers educational events and programs to commercial building owners and managers, helping them access resources to improve energy  efficiency, benchmark energy consumption, and obtain ENERGY STAR Certification. The vision of the LEA is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency and conservation efforts.

Board Member Expectations: (approximately 5 hours per month total)

  • Attend monthly board meetings (2nd Monday of the month at lunch time)
  • Serve on at least one committee
  • Help secure sponsorships and exhibitors for the annual Energy Conservation Conversation (a trade show and educational event) 

Applications are available on the LEA website.The deadline is May 31, 2016.


Earn $10,000 toward your next Green Infrastructure Project

The Office of Sustainability offers incentives for commercial and nonprofit green infrastructure projects. Projects receiving less than $50,000 from MSD’s green infrastructure stipend program are eligible. (Note – projects receiving up to $75,000 may be considered on a case-by-case basis). MSD stipend funds are matched $1 for $1 up to $10,000. Applicable projects must be approved for MSD green infrastructure stipends and include rain gardens, pervious pavement, vegetative roofs, infiltration drains and water harvesting systems. The city’s incentive funds are available on a first come first served basis.  For more information, including how to apply, visit the Office of Sustainability website. 


Energy Financing Ordinance Passed

On April 28, 2016, Louisville Metro Council passed legislation allowing Louisville Metro Government to establish an Energy Project Assessment District (EPAD) Program. The program will be implemented by the Office of Sustainability and will enable special financing for commercial property and multi-family housing owners to complete energy efficiency upgrades and install renewable energy. Read the passed ordinance.


May is Bike Everywhere Month

Bike Everywhere Month Banner

Register for Bike to Work Day, which Friday, May 20, 2016. Meet and ride locations are at Seneca Park, Iroquois Park, Shawnee Park, and Southern Indiana. Find out about more other Bike Month events.


Congratulations to the Winners of the Kilowatt Crackdown

Kilowatt Crackdown winner logo

Congratulations to the 2015 Kilowatt Crackdown winners. The competition, hosted by the Louisville Energy Alliance, recognizes commercial and nonprofit facilities for outstanding achievements in energy efficiency. Awards were presented on April 21, 2016.

  • Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) was awarded the first ever Louisville Energy Alliance Partner of the Year Award. JCPS tracks the energy usage of 169 buildings in ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager. Currently, 34 JCPS buildings are ENERGY STAR Certified. 
  • Baptist Health was awarded the Kilowatt Cup to recognize their superior achievement in energy efficiency. In seven month, Baptist Health saved close to $40,000.

Over 160 buildings entered this year’s Kilowatt Crackdown Competition. Winners are listed below:

  • Hospital: Most Improved – Norton Women’s and Kosair Children’s Hospital
  • K-12 School: Best Performer - Cane Run Elementary/Most Improved - Greathouse /Shryock Traditional Elementary School
  • Lodging/Residential: Best Performer - Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Hotel
  • Manufacturing Plant: Best Performer – Copper & Kings/Most Improved - American Printing House for the Blind
  • Office: Best Performer - Mercer Transportation Building #3/Most Improved - Mercer Transportation Building #5
  • Warehouse: Most Improved - Mercer Transportation Non-Refrigerated Warehouse
  • Worship Facility: Best Performer – Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church/Most Improved – First Unitarian Church

Read more about the winners.


Register Now for Urban Heat and Reuse Events

The Partnership for a Green City is hosting quarterly events on topics of interest or concern to the community. 

Urban Heat Island Symposium 
Friday, May 13, 2016, 8:30am - 4:30pm
JCTC Health Sciences Hall (110 West Chestnut Street)
Cost is $20. Register Today!
Participants will learn from experts about urban heat island issues specific to Louisville. Panels will focus on national and local research, identifying urban heat islands via satellite, mitigation strategies and public health impacts, 

Reuse Symposium
Friday, June 3, 2016, 8:30am - 4:30pm
JCTC Health Sciences Hall (110 West Chestnut Street)
Cost is $25. Register Today!
Reuse is more than taking old clothes to a nearby thrift store. Attend this workshop to hear from local leaders about ways to reduce the amount of trash you or your business sends the curb. National experts will present case studies on successful biodigesters in other cities. 

Lunch is included in both events.For information on scholarships, contact bfryrear@louisville.edu. Free bike and car parking is available in the JCTC Student Lot off of Second Street. Carpooling is encouraged.


Get Involved

The Office of Sustainability partners with the Louisville Sustainability Council (LSC). An independent nonprofit organization, the LSC’s mission is to engage and collaborate with the community to facilitate the achievement of Louisville’s sustainability goals. The organization works to improve health and quality of life in Louisville by catalyzing community action to eliminate existing gaps. The LSC coordinates regional sustainability efforts by hosting events, connecting partners, collecting and disseminating data and facilitating community action teams. Businesses, nonprofits, public agencies, schools, families and individuals are encouraged to get involved


four star community rating

Louisville is rated as a 4-STAR Community for its sustainability achievements. The rating was awarded in August 2015 by STAR Communities.