Air Pollution Control District

Despite Mild Weather in Louisville, High Ozone Levels are Likely on the Horizon

Fiona Grant — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

So far, the weather in June has been mild, but when it warms up Louisville will likely face problems with its air quality. Bad air days have been frequent over the past few summers; last year there were 23 days when the air quality exceeded healthy ozone levels.

Air Pollution Control District spokesman Tom Nord says there are a number of factors that contribute to ozone.

Air Pollution Board Approves Changes to Regulations

Erica Peterson — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:37:19 +0000

The Louisville Air Pollution Control Board has approved a suite of regulation reforms, including fee increases for some air pollution permits.

New Air Monitor in Louisville Will Measure Vehicle Pollution

Erica Peterson — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:30:00 +0000

Louisville’s Air Pollution Control District is moving forward with plans to place an air monitor near the Watterson Expressway. The monitor will measure concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, or “NOx.”

The Air Pollution Control District has chosen a site for the monitor; it’s at 1517 Durrett Lane, right next to I-264, and slightly west of Poplar Level Road. Now, the district is just waiting for the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the location.

Air Pollution District Holds Public Hearing on Proposed Changes to Regulations

Erica Peterson — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:54:26 +0000

Louisville’s Air Pollution Control District is moving forward with several changes to regulations, including fee increases for some permits. The district’s board held a hearing yesterday to get public comment on the proposed changes.

Air Pollution Control District Fines Rubbertown Company

Erica Peterson — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:46:12 +0000

The Air Pollution Control District and Momentive Specialty Chemicals have reached an agreement on alleged violations at the company's Rubbertown plant. The proposed settlement fines Momentive $13,500 for failing to report excess emissions. There will be a public hearing on the fine next Wednesday at 10am, and the Air Pollution Control Board will vote on the settlement.

EPA Tightens Soot Standard; Estimates Cleaner Air Will Save Billions in Health Costs

Erica Peterson — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 20:20:49 +0000

The federal government has strengthened the national air quality standard for soot and fine particle pollution.

The new standard is 20 percent more stringent than the current standard, which was set in 1997. It will require communities to make sure fine particle pollution is limited to 12 micrograms per cubic meter annually (the current limit is 15).

Old Factories and Olfactory: How the Subjective Sense of Smell Steers Citations

Erica Peterson — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:08:48 +0000

Parts of every city are smelly, occasionally. And in Louisville, several neighborhoods in particular have routinely complained about odors...like some areas of Butchertown near the JBS Swift slaughterhouse, and neighborhoods bordering chemical plants and factories in Rubbertown.

Liquor Company Cited by Air Pollution District for Whiskey Odors, Fungus

Erica Peterson — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:46:57 +0000

Louisville’s air pollution regulators say a company that stores whiskey in the city has violated its air permits. The Air Pollution Control District sent the notices of violation to Diageo late last week.

Air Pollution District Fines Diageo for Whiskey Fungus, Odor

Erica Peterson — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:16:36 +0000

Louisville's Air Pollution Control District has sent a Notice of Violation to liquor giant Diageo, alleging the company violated the conditions of its permit.

The violations laid out include several odor complaints near Diageo's whiskey aging warehouse at 2359 Millers Lane. But perhaps more interesting is another violation for the sooty-mold that has been seen on properties near the warehouse.

High Ozone Levels Expected Tomorrow

Erica Peterson — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:26:20 +0000

So much for hopes that rainy weather would keep ozone levels in the Louisville Metro area in the normal range. The Air Pollution Control District is forecasting the air will be unhealthy for sensitive groups (like the elderly, the young, and those with heart and lung conditions) on Thursday.

Ozone levels are expected to be high, and the Air Quality Index is predicted to be 106.