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Alberta O. Jones Park goers attend Earth Fest. Photo by Katherine Albrecht.
On Saturday, March 29 in Alberta O. Jones Park, Mayor Greenberg launched Earth Fest 2025, a community-wide Earth Month celebration event hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability (OS) in close partnership with the Parks Alliance of Louisville and multiple community partners! The event included speeches by Mayor Greenberg, District 4 Council Member Ken Herndon, District 25 Council Member Khalil Batshon, OS Executive Director Sumedha Rao, the Parks Alliance of Louisville, and sustainability lightning talks from various organizations. The event, sponsored by Schneider Electric and the Metropolitan Sewer District, also featured free food served by Feed Louisville and Greenz N Tingz and music performances by the Real Young Prodigys, Louisville Orchestra, AMPED youth DJs, and Producing a Kind Generation. Approximately 40 environmental and community organizations tabled at the community resource fair, offering information, interactive family-friendly activities, and volunteering opportunities to visitors.
Earth Fest kicks-off Earth Month (April) and hopes to elevate and amplify environmental efforts and events led by various organizations throughout Earth Month, so that our community can learn more about and become engaged with the great local organizations leading efforts to protect Louisville’s environment and create a sustainable future! Read the press release, review and contribute to our growing Earth Month Community Calendar, and take this feedback survey to let us know what you thought of Earth Fest and how we can make it bigger and better in 2026!
OS thanks all our Earth Fest speakers, partners, sponsors, vendors, and attendees for making this event a success!
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David Kaplan, Mayor Craig Greenberg's Chief of Staff and General Counsel, announced the fourth Solarize Louisville campaign at this week's press conference at the Iroquois Library. From left: Sumedha Rao (Director, OS), David Kaplan, David Gomez (Owner, Daily Green Power), Nick Hartnett (Owner, Pure Power Solar), and Maria Tori (Sustainability Specialist, OS).
On April 2, OS, in partnership with The Kentucky Solar Energy Society (KYSES), announced the launch of the fourth annual Solarize Louisville program - which is officially open for both residential and small non-residential property owners in the Louisville Metro area, which includes Louisville/Jefferson County and seven surrounding counties in Kentucky and Indiana. The program was launched at the Iroquois Library, the first of three city buildings that were solarized last year through the Solarize Louisville program.
To those hearing about it for the first time, Solarize Louisville is a bulk purchasing program that makes it possible to purchase solar from trusted installers at discounted rates through a simplified process. This year, Solarize is happy to announce Daily Green Power and Pure Power Solar as its vetted solar installation partners. Both are offering the same competitive price which includes a 15-18% discount.
To submit your property or properties for consideration, you can fill out this form, and either someone from OS or the installer directly will be in touch. Please be sure to include your latest utility bill, which will provide the installers a fuller picture of your energy needs.
Starting this month and throughout the campaign, OS will organize “Solar 101” workshops for community members to attend and learn further. The first workshop, in partnership with Pure Power Solar, is scheduled virtually Wednesday, April 9th at 7pm. If you are interested in joining, you can register for the workshop here.
Join this growing community of neighbors helping Louisville achieve its clean energy goals!
Buildings Upgrade Prize graphic
OS has published a Request For Applications (RFA) for approximately $500,000 to perform energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, heat pumps, etc.) in affordable multifamily tenant-occupied buildings. This is a great opportunity to implement innovative building methods and technologies that lower bills for tenants and advance sustainability.
OS held an informative Q&A session for this grant opportunity in March. Anyone interested in learning more about this RFA can find the recorded Q&A session and link to apply at: City of Louisville - Affordable Housing Energy Efficiency Upgrades. You will need to login or create a bonfire account to view the RFA. Written questions can be submitted through bonfire until April 7, and the deadline to apply is April 16.
Electric Vehicle survey graphic
Louisville Metro Government’s Cabinet for Economic Development, in partnership with infrastructure consulting firm AECOM, is in the process of developing an Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Plan. The Plan will address community EV readiness strategies and identify priority public charging sites around Louisville-Jefferson County. The Cabinet and AECOM are seeking feedback by surveying organizations (Organization Survey) throughout Louisville Metro Government, the business community, and community non-profits, as well as individual citizens (Public Survey). Please follow the link for the EV survey that most closely matches your designation.
OS Internship graphic
OS is excited to offer a paid internship opportunity this summer! Applications close April 7th, so get your application and detailed cover letter in fast. We are looking for a student who is ambitious, creative, curious, can take initiative, work hard, and is passionate about all things sustainability. For questions or concerns, reach out to us at https://louisvilleky.gov/sustainability. We look forward to working with YOU!
Apply for the internship here and include a cover letter describing your area of interest.
Louisville Metro Government selects consultants to assist in developing a Louisville Green Bank.
Following a competitive Request for Proposals process, Louisville Metro Government has selected the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) and Public Sector Consultants (PSC) to assist in the development of a Louisville Green Bank. This important effort will better position Metro to meet its established goals of 100% clean energy and net zero greenhouse gas emissions community-wide by 2040, advance quality of life and economic opportunity for all Louisvillians, and mobilize private capital towards environmental goals.
CDFA, a leading national association dedicated to advancing development finance, has a strong track record of helping local governments and organizations structure financing solutions for sustainability and economic growth. With extensive experience in clean energy financing, CDFA will play a pivotal role in engaging key stakeholders, conducting market research, and designing a financial framework for the Louisville Green Bank.
PSC, a nationally recognized public policy consulting firm, brings decades of expertise in developing and managing green banks, including its leadership in launching Michigan Saves, the country’s first nonprofit green bank. With a history of helping states and municipalities establish successful green finance institutions, PSC will contribute market research, policy development, and stakeholder engagement expertise to ensure the Louisville Green Bank is positioned for long-term impact.
Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company (LG&E and KU) have filed a request for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) with the Kentucky Public Service Commission in response to unprecedented data center demands and economic growth. The proposed new natural gas combined cycle units and battery storage facilities are expected to increase the utility’s load by nearly 50%. Due to direct relevance to the city’s sustainability and economic development goals and impact on LG&E and KU customers, Louisville Metro Government and Lexington/Fayette County Urban Government have filed and been granted a motion to intervene. Learn more from LG&E and KU’s press release and find PSC case files here.
Alex Herrin (left)
Alex Herrin, the OS's Program Coordinator appeared as a featured guest on Forward Radio’s Sustainability Now! show to discuss various sustainability related topics with long-time host Justin Mog. They touched on a range of sustainability topics, including Alex’s journey to sustainability (and Louisville), how to best spread sustainability awareness, and some of the programs that the OS is currently implementing. The recording is available on Forward Radio’s website. Tune in every week for a new episode of Sustainability Now! with a new guest.
Maria Tori (far left) co-leads environmental tour for Bellarmine students.
Last month, OS’s Sustainability Specialist, Maria Tori, co-lectured an Environmental Infrastructure Tour with Dr. Kate Bulinski of Bellarmine University's Environmental Studies Department. The department offers a B.A. in Environmental Justice and Sustainability as well as a B.S. in Environmental Science. Tori is an alumnus of the program and says, "The faculty of the Environmental Studies Department provide an in-depth, hands-on education that shaped my career and skills greatly. Their amazing mentorship and real-world applicable curriculum were critical to my success. Forever grateful for that community and the ability to continue to collaborate and give back." If your school is interested in having an OS staff member come and give a talk, reach out at https://louisvilleky.gov/sustainability.
The Louisville area experienced severe storms on Thursday night that impacted Fairdale, Jeffersontown, and Middletown. Heavy rain and flooding will continue through the weekend. Opt-in for LENSAlert with your cell phone to receive important weather updates! Text "LENSAlert" to 67283 to start receiving emergency notifications.
Visit the Louisville Earth Month Community Calendar for a regularly updated lineup of Earth Month events! Submit your event using the Earth Month Community Calendar form. Here are some upcoming events:
- The Louisville Zoo is hosting a month-long "Party for the Planet" event, starting now and running through April 27 featuring Earth Month celebrations, community eco-partner displays, and discounted admission on selected days. Visit Earth Month - Louisville Zoo for more information.
- UofL Sustainability will host a Pollinator Party on Monday, April 7 from 12-2:30pm at the Garden Commons.
- The Renewable Energy Alliance of Louisville (REAL) will meet online Monday, April 7 at 7:00 PM on Zoom. Visit REAL for more information on this and future meetings.
- Join UofL for the second annual Gender, Equity, & Climate Justice Conference, taking place virtually on Tuesday, April 8 from 10am-5pm. The Gender, Equity, & Climate Justice Conference is a day-long virtual conference focusing on gender, equity, and climate justice issues.
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Baird St. Community Garden seeks volunteers to support their Spring Planting Day on Sunday, April 13. Learn more and sign up using the Volunteer Form.
- Bernheim RESTORE returns Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. experience a day filled with unique activities that inspire hope, joy, and well-being. Embrace the spirit of spring through self-care, educational experiences, and sustainable practices. Learn more at Restore: Healthy Planet, Healthy Us! | Bernheim Forest and Arboretum.
- TreesLouisville is bringing back TreeFest, Louisville's Annual Arbor Day Celebration, on Saturday, April 19.
- The City of Jeffersonville is celebrating the Jeffersonville Earth Day Festival in the NoCo Arts & Cultural District on Saturday, April 9 from 12:00pm-4:00pm.
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Kentucky Waterways Alliance and our partners Louisville Metro Sewer District (MSD), Olmstead Parks Conservancy, Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), Brightside, Louisville Metro District 9 Councilman Andrew Owen, and Louisville Metro District 8 Councilman Ben-Reno Webber are sponsoring the 2025 Beargrass Creek Clean Sweep on Saturday, April 19. Shifts are between 8:30 am and 12:00 pm. This cleanup will address areas in Louisville, Kentucky surrounding the Beargrass Creek and Cherokee Park.
- Mark your calendars and take part in Brightside's Spring Community-Wide Cleanup on Saturday, April 19.This is a great service opportunity for scouts, sports teams, faith groups, community organizations and corporate team bonding opportunity! Interested? Register your team or community group online.
- Louisville Metro Public Works Pop-Up Drop-Offs are free recycling and large item disposal events for residents of Jefferson County. This month's event has been cancelled, but a list of upcoming events can be found at Pop-Up Drop-Off Waste Disposal Events | LouisvilleKY.gov.
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Louisville ranked in top 5 best cities for working families (WHAS11)
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Louisville kicks off Earth Month with festival at Alberta O. Jones Park (WLKY)
- Solarize Louisville returns for 2025, offering discounted solar panel installations (WDRB)
- Significant rollback of Kentucky’s regulation of water pollution becomes law (Kentucky Lantern)
- TARC releases new network redesign options for Louisville bus service (Louisville Public Media)
- Kentucky utilities submit planning permission for 1.29GW of natural gas power to serve data center sector (Data Center Dynamics)
- US will be ‘central’ to climate fight even without Trump, says Cop30 president (The Guardian)
- Americans Are Increasingly Aware That Climate Change Is Harming Their Health (Inside Climate News)
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