|
On November 20, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) delivered a ruling on Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities’ joint application for certificates and approvals pertaining to energy generation, energy unit retirements, and demand side management programs. Louisville Metro Government joined Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government in intervening in this case, with asks consistent with our communities’ sustainability and equity goals. A high-level summary of the ruling based on LG&E’s request is below:
- 2 out of 4 requested coal plan retirements were approved (both units are in Jefferson County)
- 3 out of 3 requested natural gas retirements were approved
- 1 of 2 new natural gas generating plants requested was approved
- New solar and battery facilities and power purchase agreements were approved
- Demand Side Management/Energy Efficiency plan proposed was approved
Review the complete PSC order for LG&E or Louisville Public Media’s story for more details.
 The mission of the kNOw Waste Ambassador program is to educate participants about waste reduction and disposal systems and empower them to make meaningful change for themselves and their community.
kNOw Waste Ambassadors are required to attend virtual classes and facility tours. Classes will be once per week for 7 weeks in January and February and will be recorded (specific day/time to be determined). Participants will be provided volunteer opportunities and encouraged to be creative in how they engage with neighbors and community members on the topics of waste reduction and recycling. The kNOw Waste Ambassadors are required to:
- Attend orientation session and six in-depth trainings on recycling, composting, waste management systems, and other waste initiatives. (These will take place on a weekday.)
- Participate in educational tours of local waste facilities. (These will take place on a weekday.)
- Fulfill a set number of volunteer hours and tasks annually to maintain certification. (Programs and events may take place on weekdays or weekends.)
- Attend periodic sessions to stay up to date, provide feedback, and meet other kNOw Waste Ambassadors.
- Be willing to share what you learn from the program with your community.
- Background check required prior to volunteering at events or programs.
Apply to the kNOw Waste Ambassador Program today!
 Earlier this month, Metro Council unanimously passed O-071-23, the Anti-Displacement Ordinance (formerly the Historically Black Neighborhood Ordinance), sponsored by Councilman Jecorey Arthur, Councilman Kumar Rashad, Councilman Ben Reno-Weber, and Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins. O-071-23 was developed to help prevent displacement, create more affordable housing, and address discrimination. This ordinance ensures land developers who plan to use city resources for projects do not displace residents or impact affordability in the neighborhoods they build in.
Check out the Courier Journal's story for more details.
The Lawn Care for Cleaner Air Community Equipment Grant Program (Grant) awards a package of professional-powered, electric lawn equipment to a local non-profit organization. The package of equipment includes an electric mower, trimmer, blower, and extra rechargeable battery that powers all three tools.
For an organization to be eligible to be selected, it must replace gas-powered equipment and use the equipment to maintain a safe and healthy grounds. Applicants are judged on a few criteria, including their desire and need for electric-powered equipment, as well as their commitment to sustainability. Those located in areas with environmental justice concerns (defined by the Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency) receive special consideration, but all non-profit organizations (excluding governmental agencies) located in Jefferson County, KY that meet the requirements are encouraged to apply.
Non-profits can apply for the next grant package through the form below. The application deadline is January 19, 2024. The equipment will be made available early spring 2024, in time for the lawn care season. Learn more and apply to the Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program today!
|
To mitigate urban heat island, Louisville Metro Government offers an incentive of $1 per square foot through the Cool Roof Incentive Program to any residential or non-residential property that has installed a certified Cool Roof within the last 3 years.
A majority of the funding is allocated to high heat districts, which include Council Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 14, and 15, but funding is currently available in all Council District across Louisville/Jefferson County. Louisville Metro encourages property owners to apply!
|
Upgrading your old electronics this holiday season? Sell or donate usable devices to reduce waste or recycle up to three electronics devices that no longer work at the Waste Reduction Center located at 636 Meriweather Ave. Learn more about the E-waste program at Louisvilleky.gov/Electronics.
Learn unique approaches to reusing and reducing while decorating, wrapping, and giving holiday gifts at a Sustainable Gift Giving course hosted by kNOw Waste Louisville on Thursday, December 7 at 6:00-7:30 PM or Saturday, December 9 from 1:00-2:30 PM. The course is free, but please register for the Sustainable Gift Giving course before attending.
Get creative with cardboard when packaging gifts! Flatten and recycle extra cardboard at the curb or recycling drop off location. Use the Recycle Map to find a drop-off recycling location near you.
Louisville Metro Government has received an award of $400,000 through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Buildings Upgrade Prize. This competitive prize, awarded to approximately 40 applicants across the United States, will support and scale programs that advance energy efficiency and clean energy in affordable housing.
The Buildings Upgrade Prize provides more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to support the transformation of existing U.S. buildings into more energy-efficient and clean energy-ready homes, commercial spaces, and communities. The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability applied for the Buildings Upgrade Prize with the support of the Metropolitan Housing Coalition and Kentuckians for The Commonwealth earlier this year.
Learn more in the press release covering the prize on LouisvilleKY.gov.
|
 Would you like to help local restaurants discover ways to reduce their plastic waste? Beyond Plastics Louisville has created a short customer survey to gather data on use of disposable plastics by local restaurants. The data will be used to guide the next steps in a local campaign to reduce plastic waste.
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 $2.3 million 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!
- Review the latest information about cool roofs in Louisville on the Cool Roof Incentive Program Dashboard
Transportation:
-
Families of crash victims and elected representatives gathered at The DELTA Foundation (2508 Portland Ave) on November 19 for Louisville's second annual World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The internationally recognized event is held on the third Sunday in November to honor those who have lost their lives or been impacted by roadway crashes. Attendees heard from a daughter who lost her mother and four mothers who lost sons to deadly crashes in Louisville. Mayor Craig Greenberg and Kentucky Representative Rachel Roarx spoke in support of roadway safety measures, such as state legislation allowing automated speed enforcement. According to the Federal Highway Administration, speed safety cameras are proven to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes. Local media coverage on the event can be found in the Recommended Reading section at the end of this newsletter.
Air Quality
- The Air Pollution Control District invites local businesses and organizations to increase air quality awareness and help improve local air quality. Sign-up to be an Air Quality Action Partner today.
- APCD’s latest series of Clearing The Air Community Workshops is underway. These free, virtual workshops provide the community with an inside look at the work of Louisville's local air pollution control agency and an opportunity to interact with the professionals tasked with protecting Louisville's air. Access recordings and register for upcoming workshops.
- APCD and partners have received $1 million from US EPA’s Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program (EJG2G) for Ambient Air Toxics and Health Action for the Rubbertown Area, a project that will examine and address air pollution impacts experienced by residents in west Louisville, with a focus on the areas surrounding the Rubbertown industrial complex.
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.
- Kentucky could win ‘massive’ solar investment in federal competition. Here’s what’s possible (via Kentucky Lantern)
- Kentucky groups go after federal dollars to pay for more residential solar panels (via Louisville Public Media)
- Two places in Kentucky have high rates of PFAS. Here’s what officials are doing about it (via Louisville Public Media)
- Reliability v. sustainability: Inside the debate over the EPA’s proposed carbon rules (via Kentucky Lantern)
- New data shows Louisville's biggest toxic chemical polluters for 2022 (via Courier Journal)
- 'Needs before greed': Metro Council passes anti-gentrification ordinance (via Courier Journal)
- Families of crash victims advocate for change on World Day of Remembrance (via WHAS11)
- Eight US distillers awarded energy certification (via The Spirits Business)
- The Consequences of Bottled Water (via Pacifica Network)
- This year's PFAS Awareness Event featured a screening of the film "Burned: Protecting the Protectors" which documented research finding that PFAS chemicals have been linked to cancer, the leading cause of firefighter death. The Office of Sustainability had the privilege to attend this event and honor the service of Kentucky firefighters.
|
