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.

Get Paid for Energy Efficiency Upgrades at Home

Posted on June 21, 2012 by KHolmes

LG&E is now offering home energy rebates to help offset the costs of making energy efficient upgrades around the home. Through the launch of its Home Energy Rebates Program, LG&E and KU are targeting customers who plan to make specific appliance and product upgrades in an effort to make these energy efficient purchases more affordable. Home energy rebates range from $50 to $300 for various ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliances, as well as high-efficiency window film and HVAC systems.

Rebates are available for the following items:

ENERGY STAR Heat pump water heater - $300
ENERGY STAR Refrigerator – $100
ENERGY STAR Clothes washer - $75
ENERGY STAR Freezer – $50
ENERGY STAR Dishwasher – $50
Window Film – Up to 50 percent of material costs; a maximum of $200 (Labor not included.)
Central air conditioner – $100, plus an additional $100 for every SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) unit greater than the federal minimum standard
Air-source heat pump – $100, plus an additional $100 for every SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) unit greater than the federal minimum standard

To ensure an appliance is ENERGY STAR qualified, check for the ENERGY STAR logo. A full list of ENERGY STAR® appliances and products is available at here.

How to Apply
Customers can sign in to My Account to start a rebate application online or call 1-800-356-5467.

Customers must complete a rebate application and submit their proof of purchase, which is a valid store receipt including purchase date, model number and complete purchase information. Once a rebate application is approved, a rebate check will be mailed within four weeks.

Payne Street Rain Barrel Pilot Project

Posted on February 7, 2012 by KHolmes

Some Clifton residents will soon have the opportunity to receive rain barrels and have them installed at no cost to them, as participants in the Payne Street Rain Barrel Study & Downspout Disconnection Pilot Program. The project will work to improve water quality and eliminate combined sewer overflows into Beargrass Creek. The Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) is teaming up with the 9th District Green Triangle, 15Thousand Farmers and Sustainable Clifton to educate the public on the benefits of rain barrels and downspout disconnection, as well as improve the water quality in our community.

The project’s target area is Payne Street from Charlton to S. Bellaire, with some addresses on Quarry and Angora Court included. See a map of the project area. Through the project, residents of Payne Street and a few surrounding blocks will be approached to receive rain barrels for free or through reimbursement from MSD. The work to install the rain barrels and complete the downspout disconnection will be performed by volunteer groups and will be at no cost to residents.

Participation in this program is critical to understanding the real benefits of rain barrels and eliminating the overflow in Beargrass Creek. MSD Representatives will explain the program fundamentals and provide rain barrel installation & downspout disconnection demonstrations on February 21 2012, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Clifton Center Reception Hall, 2117 Payne Street. If you live in the target area, drop in during this time to learn more about participation in the program. If you have questions about this project, please contact Wes Sydnor with MSD at 502-540-6274. If you live in the project area, are unable to attend the meeting on the 21^st and would like to participate in the project, please email Paula Glasford at glasford@msdlouky.org.

Green Triangle 2011 in Review

Posted on January 10, 2012 by KHolmes

2011 was an exciting year for the Green Triangle. As the Green Triangle works with individuals, businesses, and government to realize our vision, the 9^th District office is also working to view public projects through a green lens. Below is a review of Green Triangle and 9th District office work on sustainability in 2011.

Green Triangle Projects:

Green Triangle website launched at http://www.mygreentriangle.com/ with lots of resources for living a more sustainable life. This year the website will become fully interactive.
The Expanded Recycling Program was created for 9^th District residents and businesses. For a onetime fee of $55 businesses and residents can receive a 95-gallon recycling cart.
The Green Triangle Coordination Team used community input to create two initial Green Triangle community goals:

Waste/Recycling Goal: Create a universal access system for recycling and repurposing in the 9th District, to reduce the overall waste output of the District.
Network Goal: Create a supportive network as a tool that connects people and ideas to each other, empowering individuals, businesses, and organizations to be more environmentally sustainable in their thoughts and actions.

Volunteers were recruited to serve on two Goal Teams to create strategies and projects to achieve the goals above. We’re still recruiting in 2012 – learn more about how to get involved.
Waste Cooking Oil Recycling: The Green Triangle started a partnership with Louisville Biodiesel Cooperative and MSD to provide residents the opportunity to recycle waste cooking oil to create renewable biodiesel.
Partnered with River Metals Recycling to offer extra incentives for 9^th District residents to recycle metal leading up to the fall junk pick up.

9^th District Public Projects and Grants with a Green Lens:

A 12-stall bike rack was installed at the public parking lot on Frankfort Avenue and N. Keats Avenue. This is the first bike rack to replace a vehicle parking space in the county.
Two rain gardens were installed on Warren Road to address storm water runoff issues.
Sponsored a resolution, which was approved by the Metro Council in July, creating changes to the Land Development Code to include incentives for green development. Read a press release on the new ordinance.
The Billy Goat Hill Community Garden received the “Electric Goat,” a new electric riding lawn mower, through 9^th District Neighborhood Development Funds.
The Tree Canopy Committee of Billy Goat Hill Community Garden received 9^th District Neighborhood Development Funds to implement the first phase of the Tree Canopy Improvement Plan for Frankfort Avenue. This will increase the vitality of the urban forest along Frankfort Avenue from Mellwood to Ewing through measuring the health of current trees and suggesting appropriate types of trees for future planting.
Funds were provided for Metro Parks staff to provide seasonal land management for the Clifton Heights Greenway.
Volunteers at the Spring 2011 9th District Clean Up
Produced “Recycling 201” video with 8^th District Councilman Tom Owen and Metro TV to explain the single stream recycling system that Louisville Metro is now using. Watch the video on the District 9 website.
Helped sponsor the 2011 Wild and Scenic Film Festival, hosted by the Kentucky Waterways Alliance.
Sponsored spring and fall 9^th District community cleanups, in conjunction with Brightside’s Community-Wide clean ups.

Incentives for Green Infrastructure

Posted on November 9, 2011 by KHolmes

MSD is offering incentives for commercial, industrial, and institutional properties to use green infrastructure to keep storm water (rain water) out of the combined sewer system. The incentives will provide upfront funds to offset construction costs of green infrastructure projects including rain gardens, pervious pavement, cisterns for rain harvesting, and green roofs. Participants will also receive a discount on storm water drainage fees for the next ten years. This program started in August 2011 as part of the EPA Consent Decree to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve water quality. These benefits are achieved by reducing the impervious areas (parking lots, rooftops, sidewalks, etc.) that drain rain water to the combined sewer.

Rain garden on Warren Road

Most of District 9 drains to the combined sewer system. When it rains, the combined sewer fills with storm water, causing sanitary sewer overflows to occur in Beargrass Creek and other bodies of water. Green infrastructure provides an opportunity to store, infiltrate, and treat storm water on site. Details of the program can be found in an online brochure. Design details and drawings can be found here. Interested property owners can call MSD Customer Relations at 587-0603 to learn more.