In a historic announcement, Louisville Parks & Recreation has been awarded $12 million, the largest grant in history, from the U.S. Forest Service towards tree planting & maintenance, workforce development, and planning & community engagement as components of the Louisville Equitable Forest Initiative.
The Louisville Equitable Forest Initiative is a multi-faceted approach to growing equitable urban canopy and encouraging holistic sustainability for underserved communities in Louisville. Project outcomes include a public tree inventory and management plan, tree planting and maintenance in underserved neighborhoods, community outreach to foster environmental stewardship, and creation of a green industry workforce development program.
Read more about the funds to expand and maintain Louisiville's tree canopy in this recent article from the Courier Journal.
The West Jefferson County Community Task and the Louisville and Kentucky NAACP Branch are hosting the 7th Annual Environmental Justice Conference on September 30, 2023, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. This event will feature a speech from Mayor Craig Greenberg as well as local and national speakers on topics of critical environmental importance. The 2023 theme is "Solutions and Outcomes" and will be held at the University Club, 200 E Brandeis Ave, Louisville, KY 40208.
At this conference, we will delve into pressing environmental issues, exchange innovative ideas, and foster meaningful connections. Together, we will explore ways to address environmental challenges and promote justice for all communities.
Americans are facing the effects of a changing climate with increased extreme weather events like hurricanes, tornados, and heat waves causing poor air quality, dangerous forest fires, and flooding. Recent studies predict Kentucky’s risk of extreme heat, drought, wildfires, and inland floods will increase significantly. The Summit will examine the risks and stressors our region is facing and how our buildings and cities can adapt to this new normal and address the problems. This event will feature a speech from Mayor Craig Greenberg as well as esteemed local and national speakers on topics relating to climate change, the built environment, and sustainable housing.
The 2023 Louisville Sustainability Council Summit will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Louisville Visual Art, 1538 Lytle St. Register here.
The Fleet & Facilities department of Louisville Metro Government is hiring a new Energy Analyst to support the electrification of Louisville Metro Government’s Fleet by assisting with charging infrastructure planning, utility cost analysis, and other energy projects.
Solar Energy Solutions (SES) is seeking a highly motivated and talented Sales Manager for the rapidly developing market with a particular focus in Louisville, Kentucky.
Installation photo credited to the Louisville solar grant program
Solar Over Louisville contract signing deadline is September 30. So far this year, 53 contracts have been signed by participants who have chosen to proceed with solar installation.
Going solar reduces energy costs, supports local solar jobs, and helps Louisville meet its 100% clean energy goals. The sign up deadline for Solar Over Louisville 2023 has passed. Please keep an eye on www.100PercentLou.com/2040 for news on program renewal in the spring of 2024.
Louisville Metro Government's Historic Landmarks & Preservation Districts Commission has made progress in in their efforts to make updates to the standard design guidelines for local preservation districts and individual landmarks.
The Landmarks Commission will discuss the proposed Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Design Guidelines specifically at 9:00 AM on Thursday, October 19 at the Old Jail Auditorium, 514 W Liberty St, Louisville, KY 40202. This meeting will be available for in person attendance and remote attendance via Cisco WebEx. Event link and more details will be available in next month's newsletter.
Based on where Louisville sits today, what things keep you awake at night? Do you see economic development as a key driver of Louisville’s sustainability goals? What would that look like?
Please share your thoughts on the Economic Development Strategic Plan organized by the Louisville Metro Cabinet for Economic Developmentby completing this survey.
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:
Since 2021, new energy management strategies have been implemented to track and reduce energy use within Louisville Metro Government (LMG), including setback scheduling, utility billing analysis, and building optimization efforts. Due to the combined efforts across several departments, LMG has now exceeded $2,000,000 of utility cost avoidance since the start of the energy program! These savings are being leveraged through the Energy Innovation Fund to finance energy capital projects that accelerate progress towards LMG’s energy goals. In total, 11 energy projects have been funded in LMG buildings, which include 8 full-building LED lighting conversions, 2 ventilation and economization projects, and 1 building that is being added to our building automation and controls system. The savings from these projects are anticipated to produce a quick return on investment and will ultimately help finance additional energy improvements.
Cool Roof Incentive Program:
There are currently 316 participants enrolled in the program.
Since the start of the program, there has been over 1 million square feet of cool roof installed - that's the equivalent of about 20 football fields!
Louisville Metro Public Works Transportation Division, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and consulting firm Gresham Smith recently kicked off a Safe Routes to School initiative for Louisville. Safe Routes to School is an approach used across the country to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety in school zones. The first phase of the project is a planning study for schools in Justice40 areas, Census Tracts designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation as “Transportation Disadvantaged.” The plan will include recommendations on infrastructure, policies, and programs that encourage active, sustainable transportation. For more information, visit the Louisville Safe Routes to School website.
Air Quality
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.
In order to continue and expand on the above momentum, the Mayor's proposed FY24 budget includes additional staffing for the Office of Sustainability, funding for electric vehicle charging stations and electrification of fleet, tree planting, sidewalk repairs, planning for a Department of Transportation, and more.
Tree Weekwill be held Saturday, October 7 to Saturday, October 14 to celebrate and raise awareness of the value of community forests and green spaces.
CycLOUviawill return to Bardstown Road for the final event of 2023, on Sunday, October 22, from 2-6 pm. CycLOUvia repurposes public streets by temporarily replacing traditional vehicular traffic with pedestrian traffic. People of all ages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds can come to improve their mental, physical, and emotional health as well as enjoy local businesses.
The Governor's Conference on Energy & the Environment takes place on October 16 and October 17. Join Team Kentucky's Energy and Environment Cabinet for its 47th annual conference. This information-packed, two-day conference will offer attendees the opportunity to gain an understanding of our quickly evolving energy and environment landscapes. Participants will get up to speed on everything from hydrogen and EV batteries to PFAS regulations and community resilience.
Louisville’s plan to combat urban heat could take a century at its current pace (features Louisville Metro Government Office of Sustainability via Louisville Public Media)
Biden’s new Climate Corps will train thousands of young people (viaWashington Post)
More nature equals less gun violence, burglary in green intervention (via Courier Journal)
Pike County crypto mining operation approved for electricity discounts with conditions (via Kentucky Lantern)
A Bigger Bang Approach to Economic Development: An Application to Rural Appalachian Ohio Energy Boomtowns (via Ohio River Valley Institute)
The Meaning of MVP: How Fracking in Appalachia is Linked to Downstream Climate-Killing Infrastructure (via Ohio River Valley Institute)
Louisville is a certified LEED Silver city. The rating, which recognizes Louisville's sustainability achievements, was awarded in December 2021 by U.S. Green Building Council under the LEED for Cities and Communities Rating System.
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