Do you know a building or project that should be recognized for its achievements in energy efficiency? Today is the last day to submit nominations for the Kilowatt Crackdown awards, presented by the Louisville Energy Alliance! Awards are presented for Best Performer and Most Improved across multiple building types, as well as the top honor of the Kilowatt Cup! Nominate your building and learn more about the Louisville Energy Alliance at LouisvilleEnergyAlliance.org. The Kilowatt Crackdown awards deadline is midnight tonight, February 28. |
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 The Louisville Sustainability Council (LSC) announced the opening of the 2021-22 grant cycle for the Louisville Sustainability Fund in November 2021. This fund offers grants to support innovative, entrepreneurial projects and programs to plan for the impact of climate change on our most vulnerable citizens, while supporting community equity and resilience. Recipients will receive between $500 and $5,000 toward their project and will have access to LSC events, programs, mentors and the opportunity to partner their work with the LSC initiatives. Apply for the 2021-22 Louisville Sustainability Fund by end of day TODAY, February 28.
 On Friday, February 18th, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and the Louisville Sustainability Council made the announcement that Kentucky-based Solar Energy Solutions (SES) has been selected from a competitive pool of applicants as the designated vetted solar installation partner for the Solar Over Louisville campaign! SES is an experienced solar design, engineering, and construction company with a strong track record in the Kentucky-Indiana-Ohio region. SES is offering a 12-19% discount for participants of this campaign.
We invite you to register for our first Solar Over Louisville Workshops on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:00 PM EST (Virtual). At the workshops, you can hear directly from the installer, learn more about the process, and ask questions!
To learn more about Solar Over Louisville and future workshop dates, visit www.100PercentLou.com/2040. You can also follow the campaign at Solar Over Louisville (Facebook), @SolarOverLouisville (Instagram), and @SolarOverLou (Twitter).
 In a press conference on February 17, Mayor Fischer joined Cindi Sullivan of TreesLouisville, Councilwoman Cindi Fowler, and other community leaders at Medora Elementary School to announce the findings of the most recent Urban Tree Canopy Assessment for Louisville. TreesLouisville commissioned the University of Vermont's Spatial Analysis Lab to do the study comparing data from a 2012 assessment to the 2019 data. The results showed a 1% net increase of canopy, outpacing the annual canopy loss. It also highlighted a street canopy increase of 2% and considerable growth of trees planted a decade ago.
Read the press release and the 2022 Urban Tree Canopy Assessment.
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Louisville's Energy Manager Zachary Tyler, who was hired in early 2021, has already saved the city nearly $750,000 by implementing energy efficiency measures. The energy savings amount to a 7% reduction in energy use across Metro Government operations, which is enough to power around 700 homes for a year. Read this WFPL story to learn more!
You can also view Louisville Metro Government's energy dashboard at www.100PercentLou.com/energy-dashboard.
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On February 22, Louisville Metro Council’s Public Works Committee unanimously passed an update to the weeds ordinance to allow for managed natural landscapes. The ordinance, which was sponsored by Council Member Jecorey Arthur, proposed an amendment to the property maintenance code that allows for native species to be planted by residents on their properties. Natural landscapes are more environmentally beneficial than turf-grass, and provide habitats for pollinators like birds and butterflies. These plantings also require less water and pesticides to maintain, prevent storm water run-off, and have unique aesthetic value. The ordinance will be moved to Metro Council’s consent calendar to be reviewed on March 3. |
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 In order to combat urban heat island, Louisville Metro Government offers an incentive of $1 per square foot to any residential or non-residential property that has installed a certified Cool Roof within the last 3 years. 70% of our funding is allocated to high heat districts, which include Council Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 14, and 15. Presently, there is over $80,000 in funding remaining in these districts for this fiscal year. Louisville Metro encourages property owners to apply!
To date, Louisville Metro has incentivized nearly 1 million square feet of certified cool roofs. Learn more and apply for the Cool Roof Incentive Program.
The application period for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 2022 Green Power Leadership Awards (GPLAs) is now open and will close on Monday, March 21, 2022. The EPA awards the GPLAs annually through a competitive process that recognizes organizations for outstanding achievements in the green power marketplace. Winners can use this EPA award to showcase their leadership in renewable electricity use and commitment to a clean energy future. To learn more about the application and evaluation process, visit the EPA Green Power Leadership Awards webpage. |
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Phoenix Hill Tree Plantings: The Division of Community Forestry is hosting tree plantings on March 6 (1-4 p.m. on E Jefferson St.) and March 20 (1-4 p.m. in Phoenix Hill). Sign up to volunteer. No experience necessary.
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PACE 101 Trainings: Join the next PACE 101 Training organized by Energize Kentucky on March 16 at 9:00 a.m.
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