TVA Must Transition to 100% Clean Energy

The Center for Biological Diversity, GridLab and Synapse Energy Economics have released a report, TVA’s Clean Energy Future: Charting a Path Toward Decarbonization in the Tennessee Valley, which shows that TVA can immediately begin retiring aging fossil fuel plants and replacing them with 100% carbon-free electricity like solar and wind. TVA Must Transition to 100% Clean Energy.  Learn more about how you can Urge TVA to deliver communication and our climate by charting a path to 100% clean energy. 

KIPL Acting Within Larger Coalition Insisting LG&E Operate Within Humanity's 21st Century Imperative to Quit Fossil Fuels!

On March 9, 2023 our Executive Director, Elisa Owen, addressed the Parks and Sustainability Committee of Louisville’s Metro Council to ask its members to support a resolution condemning LG&E’s efforts to expand its fossil gas business in Bullitt County through the building of a $75 million dollar fossil gas pipeline.  The cost of that unnecessary new fossil fuel infrastructure would take decades to pay down and be bourne largely by LG&E’s gas customers in Louisville. The resolution on which Elisa was speaking will be heard by the full council on April 13, 2023

Take Action & Ask Your Louisville Metro Council Rep to Vote Yes on Holding LG&E Accountable for Quitting Fossil Fuels

SB 4 is Bad for Kentuckians

SB4 would keep utilities from choosing the least cost electricity and block the Public Service Commission from ensuring that the lowest cost and most reliable energy available is that which powers our future. And for once, we are in agreement with utility companies. SB4 is bad for Kentuckians.

Governor Beshear vetoed several bills last week including including three opposed by KRC - House Bill 4and Senate Bills 126, 150, and 226. The General Assembly reconvenes later this week and may vote by a simple majority (51 in House, 20 in Senate) to override the vetoes, so that the laws would take effect. You can read the vetoes for HB 4 here, for SB 126 here, for SB 150 here, and for SB 226 here.

Please leave a quick message for your representative to vote no on SB4. 1-800-372-7181

Real Good News:

Local Action for Climate Care

Join REAL, the Renewable Energy Alliance of Louisville, to consider how other cities have transitioned to solar and how Louisville could do likewise.

On April 26th an event titled “REAL Good News” will hold its tenth in a series of quarterly public Zoom meetings aimed at making sure Louisville implements its green energy goals. In 2020 the Metro Council passed a resolution to move the city’s operations to 100% clean renewable electricity by 2030. That resolution also sets a goal of 100% clean energy for the entire Louisville community by 2040.

Speakers are Steve Ricketts, Chair of Ky Solar Energy Society & Owner of Generation Solar, Ryan Van Velzer, Energy & Environment Reporter at Louisville Public Media, and Andrew Owen, Metro Couicil District 9.

The REAL Good News event will run from 7 to 8:30. The three sponsoring organizations are 100%REAL, Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light, and the Christian Action group of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

The event is free but advance registration is required. Register today!

Bits & Pieces

• Kentucky Green Living Fair is held at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky on Saturday, April 8, 2023

• Many bills and resolutions have impacted our water quality, land use, affordability and reliability of utility services, and environmental and community health. Join Kentucky Resources Council on Thursday, April 13, 7:00pm as KRC's Executive Director Ashley Wilmes and Lobbyist Tom "Fitz" FitzGerald review this year's session- testifying, informing, working against bills that would weaken environmental protections and working to advance environmental quality and justice and answer the question, "where do we go from here?" Learn more and Register today for this discussion and Q & A Registration is required

• Join the Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 7:00pm. This months meeting will discuss the issue of large-scale “merchant” solar projects and their intersection with land use in Kentucky.  Lane Boldman, Executive Director of the Kentucky Conservation Committee (KCC), will give an update on the different projects happening in the state and how to work with communities where these projects are proposed. Registration is required (Hybrid Program).

• The Springfield Green Festival is Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9:00-2:00pm. The Springfield Green Festival is annual event that builds awareness of environmental issues and inspires action to support a healthy and sustainable planet – starting right here in our rural communities!

• Enjoy the Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 11:00-3:00pm at UK Extension Office pavilion, 99 Corporate Drive, Danville, KY. 

• Main Street Clean Sweep (MSCS) is our annual community-led litter cleanup in participating cities and towns throughout Central Kentucky. This year also marks our 9th Annual MSCS as well as the 53rd Earth Day on April 22! Throughout the week, volunteers gather to pick up and dispose of litter in their communities to help create a sustainable bluegrass. Note that this event is ALWAYS widely attended. MSCS encourages community engagement, pride in place, and beautifies the downtown areas of the cities and towns involved. By participating in this event you will boost support for local businesses. MSCS may seem like a simple litter cleanup, but small changes make a big impact.  Because we know this to be true, clean-up events are held rain or shine. We hope to see you there! Learn more for dates in your city https://bggreensource.org/mscs

• Clarks Run Environmental Education Cooperation (CREEC) is the lead sponsor of Danville’s Earth Day celebration. This year’s celebration will be held at the Boyle County Cooperative Extension Office Pavilion and is free and open to all! Enjoy booths and exhibits from dozens of exhibitors who are working to improve our planet and community. 

• On April 30 Louisville Zoo is hosting a Party for the Planet! Learn more HERE