Louisville is ranked 3rd on the list of top U.S. mid-size cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings

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April 16, 2018

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In this issue:

Louisville Tops the 2018 ENERGY STAR List

2018 ES

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Louisville is ranked 3rd on the list of top U.S. mid-size cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings. Louisville ranked 7th last year and this year, is behind only San Jose and Virginia Beach. On the list of all U.S. metropolitan areas, Louisville ranks 24th.

Louisville earned its ranking with 86 ENERGY STAR buildings, which includes office buildings, schools, banks and retail and grocery stores. Energy efficiency saved ENERGY STAR building owners across the country $4.5 billion in 2017. The energy saved prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual electricity use of more than 3 million homes.

Over the past five years, Louisville Metro Government, led by the Office of Sustainability and Office of Management & Budget, has implemented energy efficiency measures, which saves the city $2.7 million and reduces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 5,300 vehicles off the road.    ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than average buildings. Also, ENERGY STAR certified buildings cost $0.50 less per square foot to operate than average buildings. 

For the complete city rankings, visit www.energystar.gov/TopCities


Kilowatt Crackdown Awards Program Recoginizes Top Energy Performing Buildings

Kilowatt Crackdown Logo

Louisville Metro partners with the Louisville Energy Alliance to promote ENERGY STAR certification.  The Louisville Energy Alliance hosts the annual Kilowatt Crackdown Award, a city-wide competition that challenges building owners and operators to decrease energy use in their buildings.  The Kilowatt Crackdown winners listed below were recognized for leadership and excellence in energy conservation.    

Norton Audubon Hospital - 2017 Kilowatt Cup Winner

The Oxmoor Center - Innovation Award

JCPS Tully Elementary - Best K-12 School Facility

JCTC Shelby Campus - Best College/University Facility

First Unitarian Church - Best Church/Worship Facility

Southeast Christian Church - Best Large Church/Worship Facility

Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital - Best Healthcare Facility

Sealed Air - Best Manufacturing Facility

The Presbyterian Center - Best Office Facility

For more information, https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/use-portfolio-manager

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/sustainability/energy-efficiency


LEA to Host Free Energy Management Training Sessions

The Louisville Energy Alliance will host a series of FREE energy management trainings on ENERGY STAR's Portfolio Manager.  In this three part series participants will learn everything from the basics of entering building and energy data into the software to the more advanced functions of setting goals and targets for their energy improvements.  Technical experts will be on-site to assist with questions after each of the webinars.    

When Portfolio Manager 101 — June 11, 2018 — 8:30am-11:00am                                

             Portfolio Manager 201 — June 29, 2018 — 8:30am-11:00am

             Portfolio Manager 301 — July 20, 2018 — 8:30am-11:00am

Where: Spalding University’s Kosair College of Health and Natural Sciences Room 113

             901 S. Third Street, Louisville, KY 40203

For more information and to register, http://www.louisvilleenergyalliance.org/


Celebrate Earth Day, Plant a Free Tree

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection.  First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events in more than 193 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.

To help celebrate Earth Day Division of Community Forestry will host a FREE tree giveaway on April 21, 2018 from 12:00pm-2:00pm at Louisville Hope Community Garden, 1400 Bicknell Ave, Louisville, 40215.  

Available species (3 gallon container) will include: Allegheny Serviceberry, Redbud, Black Oak, Eastern Red Cedar, Pawpaw, American Hornbeam, Sugar Maple, River Birch, Tulip Poplar, Red Oak

For more information, https://louisvilleky.gov/government/division-community-forestry/events

There are many opportunities to celebrate and show your support of Earth Day in Louisville.

Louisville Zoo Earth Month

2018 Louisville Earth Walk

Earth Day Distillery Tours

Arbor Day to Earth Day Crowdfunding Campaign

Earth Day

Available Rebates

cool roof photo

Cool Roof Rebates

The Office of Sustainability's Cool Roof Rebate Program has funding available for properties located in Metro Council Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 14 and 15 (Find your Council District). The program aims to combat urban warming as identified in the Urban Heat Management Study. The rebate provides up to $1 per square foot of roof that is installed with an ENERGY STAR roofing product.

Read more about the program and apply.

Tree Rebate

Shade Tree Rebates

Purchase a shade* tree and receive 40% off the purchase price up to $80. TreesLouisville is partnering with the Louisville Metro Division of Community Forestry. The program is open to all residents of Jefferson County.

*Shade trees are generally medium to large sized trees that have spreading canopies (e.g., oak, maple, linden, elm), though smaller species like redbuds and serviceberries also fall under this category. Dwarf ornamental varieties will not be eligible. If you have questions about whether your tree is eligible for a rebate, email info@treeslouisville.org.

Funding is first come, first served.  Read more about how to participate.


Partner Events

Tree

Partner Tree Events:

April 21, 2018- Jefferson County Master Gardeners' Seedling Giveaway

April 22, 2018- TreesLouisville Tree Giveway

APCD

APCD Wants to Hear From You!

APCD has launched a survey to ask the community for feedback on a workshop series that we are developing for this spring and summer. It is a short form with a few questions about air quality perceptions and understanding, topics of interest, and preferred times and locations for this kind of event. 

For more information, https://www.facebook.com/helptheair/posts/10155402069236497

Feedback for Needs Assessment Survey

Louisville Parks and Recreation has launched its 2018 Needs Assessment Survey and your feedback is very important to help determine priorities for developing community services for the community.  The survey should take about 5-10 minutes to complete and asks questions about our parks, community centers, natural areas, historic properties, golf courses, and respondent demographics (optional).

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KGHXKBZ

Louisville's Comprehensive Plan 2040

The Comprehensive Plan will go before the Planning Commission on April 16, 2018 at 5:30pm in the Old Jail auditorium (514 W. Liberty Street). When the Planning Commission completes its review of the updated plan, the document will be presented to Metro Council as well as 12 local municipalities with zoning authority for formal adoption. 

To view the recommended Comprehensive Plan goals, objectives and policies, please click here

Public comment on the document will be open until the Planning Commission meeting on the April 16, 2018. To provide your comment, please use the form here or submit via mail to 444 S. 5th Street, Louisville, KY, 40202, Suite 300, RE: Comprehensive Plan. 

 Get Involved

The Office of Sustainability partners with the non-profit Louisville Sustainability Council (LSC). 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 promote citywide sustainability. Everyone is encouraged to learn more and 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.