Biodiesel on MetroTV

Posted on June 17, 2013 by KHolmes

Councilwoman Ward-Pugh recently taped a new video for MetroTV that is available to watch online here. It is focused on Kelley Green Biofuel, which is creating clean burning biodiesel from waste cooking oil. You can recycle your waste cooking oil in a container in the Clifton Center’s west side parking lot (2117 Payne Street), and Kelley Green will use it to make biodiesel, which is sold to local farmers and for use in cars. If your restaurant is interested in having Kelley Green pick up your waste cooking oil for free, you can learn more at http://kelley-green.com/.

The other part of the MetroTV feature focuses on exciting initiatives in Parkland, in District 1, represented by Councilwoman Attica Scott. Watch it today to learn about these projects around Louisville.

Biodiesel Video

Posted on June 7, 2013 by KHolmes

Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh recently visited Kelley Green Biofuels in Goshen, where waste cooking oil is turned into sustainable biodiesel. See a video that she made during her visit below.

Learn more about Kelley Green.

Responsible Recycling Event a Success!

Posted on May 29, 2013 by KHolmes

On Saturday, May 11 Councilwoman Ward-Pugh, the Green Triangle, and the Energy Pros partnered to host the One Stop Drop Responsible Recycling event. The event was a great success, with 393 cars coming through to drop off items to be reused or recycled. Over 10,000 pounds of paper was kept out of the landfill and recycled and an entire tractor trailer was filled with electronics to be recycled. We are waiting to hear the final numbers of batteries recycled, household items given to Habitat Restore and Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement program, cardboard recycled, shoes given to WaterStep, and medical supplies given to Supplies Over Seas.

View a video of the event below

Thank you to everyone who participated in the event and kept your donations from ending up in the landfill. A special thanks to our volunteers, including 9 National Honor Society volunteers from St. Xavier High School.

Sustainability Committee Meeting May 23

Posted on May 20, 2013 by KHolmes

On Thursday, May 23^rd at 3:00 pm the Louisville Metro Sustainability Committee meeting will feature a presentation by Jennifer Regan about the green features of the KFC Yum! Center. The meeting will take place at City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street, 3^rd floor in Chambers, and is open to the public. The meeting will also be aired live on MetroTV, Insight Channel 25. Committee meetings are also aired in reruns on MetroTV, and the schedule can be found here. You can also watch the meeting online here.

April 13th Events

Posted on April 11, 2013 by KHolmes

In addition to the 9th District Community Cleanup from 8:30-Noon (meet at the Kroger on lower Brownsboro Road), there are several sustainability events on Saturday, April 13^th.

The Mighty Kindness Earth Day Hoot brings together local services for the body, soul, heart and mind that make our commonwealth more rooted and kind. It is a free community unity festival that celebrates kindness where you’ll find local food, music, art, green businesses, neighborhood and social justice organizations, fun for kids, the healing arts, the spiritual community, free workshops, Massage-a-thon, Circle of Dance, Turners Circus, and more! The Hoot will take place at the Brown-Forman Amphitheater at Waterfront Park from Noon-6pm on April 13^th. Learn more here.

At the Mighty Kindness Hoot the Frankfort Avenue Tree Canopy Project will be raising money for the 2013 fall planting by offering a Massage-a-Thon event with the Louisville School of Massage. All donations are tax-deductible. If you have questions please email findmarissa@yahoo.com.

Also on April 13, YERT: Your Environmental Road Trip Screening and Party: A fundraiser for the Green Institute with food trucks, music, beer, and Q&A with the film’s director at the BBC Brewery/Tap Room at 636 E. Main Street. $10 Suggested Donation. Starts at 6:00 pm with the movie screening at 7:30 pm. Presented by Bluegrass Brewing Company, Center for Neighborhoods, Louisville Timebank, and Germantown-Paristown Neighborhood Association.

Finally, on April 13: St. Leonard Environmental Club Recycling Event in the Saint Leonard Community parking lot, 440 Zorn Avenue, from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. This year’s sponsors include Commonwealth Computer Recycling (CCR) – items taken include obsolete electronic equipment (computers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, game systems, cell phones, spent ink cartridges) and DDC of Kentucky to shred all your important documentation (papers, folders, ID’s, credit cards, etc.) Once again, there is NO COST for disposal – all they ask for is that each person dropping items donate something listed on the Kentucky Humane Society Wish List. All items collected will be responsibly recycled and not end up in landfills! Questions please contact Kim James at 897-5265 or email kjames@stleonardlouisville.org.

Sustainability Committee April 11

Posted on April 10, 2013 by KHolmes

On Thursday, April 11^th at 3:00 pm the Louisville Metro Sustainability Committee meeting will feature a presentation from Barry Zalph about the use of modern rotary intersections to improve sustainability. This presentation will introduce modern roundabouts and neighborhood traffic calming circles as tools in the roadway design tool kit. If used properly, they can replace signalized intersections and stop-sign-controlled intersections with benefits including increased safety, reduced traffic congestion, and reduced emissions. The meeting will take place at City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street, and is open to the public. The meeting will also be aired live on MetroTV, Insight Channel 25. Committee meetings are also aired in reruns on MetroTV, and the schedule can be found here. You can also watch the meeting online here.

Green Spark Awards

Posted on April 4, 2013 by KHolmes

Project Warm invites you to the Green Spark Awards:

Join us on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 as we host the Third Annual Green Spark Awards. The Green Spark Award honors three organizations and two individuals who through their leadership and service have inspired others to care about and conserve energy.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

Business Leadership, demonstrating energy efficient policies
Educational Institution, promoting energy education
Youth, achievement in energy conservation and environmental stewardship
Nonprofit Organization, developing awareness of energy efficiency throughout their membership
Individuals and Families, practicing energy conservation in their homes and communities

The Green Spark Awards and Luncheon
Grand Ballroom of the Seelbach Hilton Hotel, 500 South 4th Street
Wednesday, April 10, 2013. Registration begins at 11:00 AM. Lunch will begin at 11:30.

Keynote speaker: Tina Ward-Pugh, Metro Councilwoman for the 9th District.
Master of Ceremonies: Cindy Sullivan, WHAS 84.
Honorary Chair: Gill Holland, Co-designer of the Green Building.

Ticket information is available at: www.projectwarm.org
Individual tickets are $35.00 with proceeds to benefit Project Warm.

Every year in Louisville, thousands of at-risk families and seniors struggle to heat and cool older, energy inefficient homes in disrepair. By supporting Project Warm, you help many of these families and seniors to affordably manage their energy usage and reduce their housing costs.

Since 1982, Project Warm has provided energy management education, do-it-yourself materials and weatherization services to more than 37,000 low-income senior and family households in Louisville, reducing energy loss for these families and individuals up to 20%. To date, Project Warm has helped households save more than $25 million in energy costs.

Join us as we recognize the 2013 Green Spark Award honorees!

Sincerely,

The Project Warm Team

Final Louisville Sustainability Plan Released

Posted on April 1, 2013 by KHolmes

After accepting public comment for more than a month, Mayor Greg Fischer released the final Sustain Louisville plan that sets a course for making the city more environmentally friendly. This plan includes more aggressive timelines to accomplish goals – a direct result of public feedback – and the addition of new three new initiatives. Among other changes, the city moved up its goals of:

Decreasing energy use in city-owned buildings by 30 percent from 2025 to 2018;
Establishing a robust urban tree canopy from 2020 to 2018;
Decreasing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from 2025 to 2020.

The three new initiatives are:

Coordinating suburban traffic lights to reduce air pollution from idling vehicles;
Installing 10 new Mayor’s Miles to encourage walking and active living;
Launching a clean economy business plan contest to encourage entrepreneurs in the creation and startup of businesses.

Sustain Louisville contains six sections — energy, environment, transportation, economy, community and engagement — with 19 broad goals and 63 initiatives. The report is available for download at www.louisvilleky.gov/sustainability.

Grow More Mow Less

Posted on March 11, 2013 by KHolmes

The first day of spring is March 20. The Air Pollution Control District’s Grow More Mow Less program can help you get your yard ready for spring by thinking about how to get rid of turf grass that you don’t need. With less turf grass, you will be able to mow less, save time, money, and protect the air. Find ideas here for low-mow plants, savings on low-mow plants, and steps to convert your yard from turf grass to low-mow.

Did you know that one hour of mowing with a typical gas-powered lawnmower produces the same amount of smog-forming emissions as driving your car for 200 miles? See the difference in pollution from gas-powered versus cleaner mowers. Learn more from the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District’s (APCD) Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program, which gives incentives for residents who purchase air-friendly lawn care equipment. Residents receive larger incentives for trading in gas-powered equipment. There is a new program for professional lawn care equipment incentives as well. Landowners who are cleaning our air through less-polluting mowing techniques or through low maintenance landscaping can be nominated for an Environmental Stewardship Award from APCD. Learn more, or nominate someone for an award.

Sustainability Committee Meeting

Posted on March 8, 2013 by KHolmes

On Thursday, March 14^th at 3:00pm the Louisville Metro Sustainability Committee meeting will feature a presentation by Bobby Clark, Jason Delambre, George Parker and Maria Koetter, Director of Sustainability on the concept of establishing a “sustainability” or “eco” district(s) in Louisville. The meeting will take place at City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street, and is open to the public. The meeting will also be aired live on MetroTV, Insight Channel 25. Committee meetings are also aired in reruns on MetroTV, and the schedule can be found here. You can also watch the meeting online here.