On December 3, Mayor Greg Fischer announced his participation in the newly launched Climate Mayors Steering Committee, a team of 24 mayors who will serve as a leading voice in efforts to further climate action in the more than 400 cities across the U.S. making up the Climate Mayors coalition.
The Steering Committee will work alongside the Climate Mayors’ Chair, Mayor Eric Garcetti (Los Angeles), and Co-Chairs, Mayors Madeline Rogero (Knoxville), Sylvester Turner (Houston), and Martin J. Walsh (Boston) to highlight the importance of city-led climate action in creating healthier, cleaner, and more equitable and sustainable cities.
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On December 11, Mall St. Matthews (MSM) announced the installation of its 1,400 new solar panels, which is expected to offset 85 percent of the load for its three highest-use meters. MSM is following in the footsteps of Oxmoor Center, which installed 2,400 panels in 2017.
At the press conference, Mayor Greg Fischer, St. Matthews Mayor Richard Tonini, and the General Managers of MSM and Oxmoor Mall gathered together to commend Brookfield Properties for being a leader in sustainable energy and for creating the largest retail solar installation in the state, an act that will improve local air quality and help achieve Louisville Metro's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050.
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Known nationally as "PACE," the Energy Project Assessment District (EPAD) Program is a financing mechanism that helps commercial property owners repay private loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. This month, the Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability implemented its second and third EPAD Project.
La Quinta Del Sol
The La Quinta Del Sol is a 94-room, new construction hotel located near Anchorage, KY. Through the EPAD Program, property owner Sachi, LLC received a $1.75 million loan from PACE Equity, LLC to finance the upfront costs of a high-performance building envelope, exterior and interior LED lighting, 52 solar panels, and 20 windmills.
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Springhurst Tennis Club
The Springhurst Tennis Club sought EPAD financing to replace its old T-8 lighting system with state-of-the-art LED technology and install HVAC upgrades to improve air circulation in its tennis court areas. The property owner received a $403,750 loan from Lever Capital Funding, LLC to pay for the upfront costs of the energy efficiency improvement projects, which will be repaid in 15 annual assessments.
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The Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability's Cool Roof Rebate Program still has funding available for properties located in Metro Council Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 14 and 15. The program aims to combat urban warming and reduce energy costs for districts significantly impacted by the City’s urban heat island. The rebate provides up to $1 per square foot of cool roof that is installed with an ENERGY STAR roofing product. Rebates are available for both residential and commercial buildings and offered on a first come, first served basis.
The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District has recently formed a Multipollutant Stakeholder Group (MPSG) that will focus on developing strategies to reduce local air pollution and reach attainment for the recently strengthened 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
The MPSG will be informed by the work of five committees – Point Source, Area Source, Mobile Source, Health, and Outreach/Education. Community members are welcome to join these committees and help develop next steps to improve air quality and public health in Louisville.
If you are interested in signing up, click here to join a committee by December 31, 2019.
Community Forestry Assistant - Louisville Metro
The Division of Community Forestry is hiring a Community Forestry Assistant to monitor tree canopy status, manage community forestry projects, and assist with public education and engagement programs. Applicants must be a Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or obtain within six months of employment. Proficiency with GIS is required.
To view the full job description and apply, click here.
Program Manager - Louisville Sustainability Council
The Louisville Sustainability Council (LSC) is hiring a full-time staff person to coordinate programs, membership, volunteers, and events. The Program Manager will primarily work remotely and will report to the LSC Board Chair in the absence of an Executive Director.
To view the full job description, click here. To apply, contact Alicia Hullinger at chair@louisvillesustainabilitycouncil.org.
UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2018
The annual UN Environment Emissions Gap Report presents an assessment of where global greenhouse gas emissions are headed versus where they need to be if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
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Sustainable Solutions (UofL Sustain Magazine)
In the 2019 Fall/Winter issue of U of L's Sustain Magazine, Mayor Greg Fischer highlights some of Louisville's Metro's key sustainability accomplishments and describes how we are working to ensure a resilient and sustainable future where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full human potential in a clean, green, safe, healthy and compassionate city.
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Global Roundtable: What If Your City was a National Park City?
Every month, the Nature of Cities features a Global Roundtable in which a group of people respond to a specific question.This month, writers from around the world responded to the question: "What it would be like if your city became a National Park City, analogous to what London created?"
In addition to many global perspectives, Scott Martin, the Director of River Heritage Conservancy, shares his vision of what transformations would take place if the residents of Louisville "woke up one day with the awareness that we share a special, valuable, and unique urban green space."
To read the full article and other responses, click here.
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EPA FLIGHT Tool
Did you know the EPA provides publicly-available information on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data from large facilities in the U.S.? If you're curious about Louisville's top emitters, you can use the Facility Level Information on GreenHouse Gases Tool (FLIGHT) to quickly and easily filter GHG data by State and County.
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LG&E and KU Marketplace Tool
LG&E and KU launched a new online tool called Marketplace that allows customers to find and compare products that help them reduce their energy usage and save money. If you're looking for an energy-smart buy this holiday season, Marketplace provides a one-stop-shop that compares over 10,000 appliances and electronics, including everything from dishwashers and refrigerators to thermostats and gaming consoles.
To explore the Marketplace tool and other programs, click here.
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As we near the end of another year, the Louisville Metro Sustainability Team would like to thank all of the residents, businesses, and stakeholders that contributed to the success of some of our key accomplishments in 2019:
- The Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability kicked off the Prepare Louisville campaign to develop a Vulnerability Assessment and Climate Adaptation Plan to increase resilience to climate change impacts.
- Mayor Greg Fischer declared a Climate Emergency at the youth-led Climate Strike on September 20 to stress the importance of taking greater action now.
- Volunteers from the Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability, Department of Planning and Design, and Department of Public Works completed a Green Commuter Challenge Pilot through KIPDA's Every Commute Counts Program, which resulted in almost 1,000 vehicles miles reduced.
- The 5th annual Louisville Sustainability Summit brought together over 200 people to discuss how we can act locally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Louisville Metro released its Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan to set Louisville on a path to reduce its emissions by 80% by 2050.
- The Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability completed two EPAD projects, which provided over $2 million in capital investment toward energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Louisville.
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