 Louisville Metro Government, the Kentucky Solar Energy Society (KYSES) and the Louisville Sustainability Council (LSC) have announced that the deadline to apply for Solar Over Louisville has been extended. Interested property owners now have until Monday, July 31, to take advantage of this unique opportunity and join their neighbors in going solar.
2023 Solar Over Louisville participant, Ms. Healy, said she was thrilled with the installation process through her installer, Icon Solar. Icon not only completed the solar installation in one day, but was also able to update her electrical panel. She has already seen savings on her electricity bill. Her full testimonial is available at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9lJajf3yeE
In 2022, more than 90 participants received solar installations through the Solar Over Louisville program, which connects participants with vetted installers, provides them with free no-obligation quotes, and offers a 15-23% discount on solar installation. This year, hundreds have expressed interest in the program and more than 30 have signed contracts since the launch of the program in March.
Read the full press release and sign up at www.100PercentLou.com/2040. You can also attend the final Solar Over Louisville workshop co-hosted by the installation partners, Solar Energy Solutions and Icon Solar Power:
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
5:00 p.m.
Mezzanine of Atrium Brewing Norton Commons
11205 River Beauty Loop
Prospect, KY 40059
The Office of Sustainability has a new summer intern. Meet Maggie Board!
 |
|
Hi! My name is Maggie Board and I am entering my final semester at the University of Kentucky majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Science. After graduation, I am excited to transition my life to New York City to pursue a professional career in sustainability.
Outside of my studies, I enjoy reading, running, cooking, and going to concerts.
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work in the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability this summer. Seeing the inner workings of a field that is very important to me in my hometown has brought me an immense appreciation for Louisville.
|
|
Earlier this month, we also bade farewell to our former intern Alyssa Burton, who played a valuable role in supporting Solar Over Louisville and led the creation of the Green Resources for Residents guidebook, among various other contributions. We thank Alyssa for her work and wish her the best in future endeavors!
Alyssa Burton is an undergraduate in the Urban Studies program at the University of Louisville. She worked with the School of Public Health in conjunction with the Solar Over Louisville program, researching the intersections of green technology and housing justice.
|
|
 |
The Office of Sustainability (OS) would like to congratulate and sincerely thank Mayor Greenberg, his administration, and Metro Council for passing the FY24 budget, which fully funds the OS. As a result, the OS will grow from a team of one to a small army of six before the end of the year. This will increase our ability to be responsive to Louisville's sustainability and climate priorities and work more collaboratively with agencies, organizations, and citizens across the city. We appreciate our community's continued patience as we bring more team members on board over the next few months. |
|
 |
On Earth Day, Mayor Greenberg received a letter signed by 90+ citizens urging his administration to act expeditiously to slow climate change. In response, Mayor Greenberg committed to publicly sharing monthly updates on the city's efforts as we embark on the task of slowing climate change, particularly in the power generation and transportation sectors, per the citizens' letter. These regular progress updates will be shared in this section of this monthly newsletter from the Office of Sustainability.
Energy and Power Generation:
- Metro continues to make progress on advancing energy efficiency in government buildings through the work of Energy Manager Zachary Tyler. Energy savings have now reached nearly $1.8 million, 80% of which will be reinvested into energy efficiency and clean energy projects in Metro facilities. Find the latest quarterly energy report on Louisville Metro's Energy Dashboard.
- LMG just completed its first full-building conversion to LED lighting using the newly-establish Energy Innovation Fund at the Jefferson County Central Government Center. The 19,000 square foot facility will achieve notable energy savings as a result of this project, which will be used to finance further energy projects. This joins a list of 8 other capital projects that are underway to improve lighting, HVAC, and envelope efficiency efforts across 900,000 square feet of LMG facilities.
- To meet Metro's clean energy goals, Metro has kicked off a partial municipalization study to explore the formation of a municipally owned electric utility. The data collection process is currently underway. Metro also continues to be interested in and explore Green Tariff options with Louisville Gas and Electric.
- Metro's Office of Sustainability continues to administer the Cool Roof Incentive Program, the Solar Over Louisville program, the U.S. Department of Energy-supported Communities Local Energy Action Program, and recently published the Green Resources For Residents guide to help residents better access the benefits of energy efficiency and clean energy.
- Louisville Metro Government (LMG) has joined Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFCUG) to intervene in Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities' filing with the Kentucky Public Service Commission that seeks to build new fossil fuel infrastructure, solar facilities, battery storage facilities, deploy demand side management programs, and retire coal plants. Case filings can be accessed here.
Transportation
- The Complete Streets Coalition continues to utilize an innovative participatory budgeting process to implement road safety improvements expeditiously, with an average time to construction of 2.5 months.
- Metro Public Works continues to make progress on Vision Zero initiatives.
- The Office of Advanced Planning hosted CycLOUvia on Main Street to reimagine our streets without cars.
- Metro continues to transition its fleet to electric vehicles and pursue funding to support this transition.
Land Use and Development
- Louisville Metro Government announced the next step toward transforming the former Rhodia site into a community-led mixed-use development
- As part of Land Development Code reform process, Planning and Design Services launched a dedicated Middle Housing website to share resources on housing diversity.
- Louisville Metro Government and the Owsley Brown II Family Foundation commited $1 million to the Vital Sites’ loan fund to advance historic preservation.
- In June 2021, Louisville Metro Council approved amendments to the Land Development Code to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by-right in most areas of the city, meaning they only undergo a staff review process. Previously, many property owners seeking to build ADUs were required to obtain a conditional use permit, a longer, more costly process that included a vote by the Board of Zoning Adjustment. Since Council’s amendment, Louisville Metro’s Office of Planning has approved 41 applications for ADUs. Prior to this change, fewer than four applications a year were submitted. A recent grant further reduces costs for property owners interested in ADUs.
Air Quality
- Recent wildfire smoke impacts have prompted air quality alerts from the Air Pollution Control District. Sign up to receive air quality alerts when air pollution is forecast to be elevated and know where to find live air quality conditions.
- The Air Pollution Control District invites businesses to sign-up to be Air Quality Action Partners to improve air quality in Louisville. In 2022, 23 businesses voluntarily took action to reduce air pollution and in 2023, 29 have already signed up to participate.
Waste
- Metro Solid Waste Management Services continues to host Pop-up Drop-off waste disposal events for hard-to-recycle items.
While this list is not comprehensive, the Office of Sustainability will strive to highlight sustainability efforts across Metro more substantially as we increase staffing capacity.
 |
|
Renewable Energy Alliance of Louisville (REAL) Monthly Meeting occurs the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Contact REAL to attend. |
 |
|
Plastic-Free Picnic in celebration of Plastic Free July, hosted by Beyond Plastics Louisville, tentatively at the end of July at a public park. Please respond to this brief survey if you are interested to help the organizers coordinate details. |
- Wildfire smoke makes Louisville's air more dangerous (via Spectrum News)
- Metro Council votes on rules for single-use plastic ware at Louisville restaurants (via WAVE)
- How a global treaty could solve the plastic waste crisis (via GreenBiz)
|
