Alternative Energy
In a special session last summer, Kentucky’s House of Representatives called on the Public Service Commission to look at how current state regulations might help or hinder developing more renewable sources. One question: whether or not Kentucky should mandate that a certain percentage of electricity from all utilities come from renewable sources. It’s called a Renewables Portfolio Standard, or RPS. And it’s an idea that’s gaining popularity, and spurring on the development of renewable resources, around the country. But is Kentucky ready for it?
- Public Service Commission’s report to the state legislature on energy policy
- U.S. Energy Information Administration’s data on Kentucky’s Renewable Energy Profile
- Kentucky’s Department for Energy Development and Indepdence
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s report on renewables portfolio standards in the United States
Louisville's Ford Plants
As Ford Motor Company struggles to regain its footing in the auto manufacturing industry, Louisvillians are waiting for news about how the city’s two Ford plants will fit into the company’s future. WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders has more on how Ford’s Louisville operations must change to survive.
GasHole
Everyday broadcast and print media have a new angle on gas prices, and Monday, Louisvillians can see movie about the issue. The producers and directors of the documentary GasHole will be in Louisville to present their film, which they say is a fair and slightly fun look at the history of gasoline, oil and alternative energy. WFPL’s Gabe Bullard talked with GasHole’s writer, producer and co-director Jermeny Wagener about the movie.
- GasHole official site
- An ecological group’s message board topic on the movie
- GasHole on Rotten Tomatoes
Bernheim ForestThe new executive director at Bernheim Forest begins work tomorrow. Mark Wourms comes to Kentucky from Pasadena, California, where he was chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. He's also a former director of the Kansas City Zoo. Rick Howlett spoke with Wourms about his new post overseeing the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, which covers thousands of acres in Bullitt and Nelson counties.
The Big Sort
Can you tell what neighborhood you are in by the political signs in the yard? Do you expect certain areas of town to support certain causes? Does your social group lack a variety of opinions? If you answered yes to any of the questions, well then you are already aware of the effect of the big sort. Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with Louisville native, journalist and author Bill Bishop about America’s clustering and his new book, The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of American is Tearing Us Apart. Bishop will be reading from and signing copies of his book Sunday, July 13th at 4:00 in the afternoon at Carmichaels Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue.
Liberal Arts Education
Educators and education advocates are calling for more arts and humanities in all levels of education.
- Daniel Pink
- University of Louisville Hospital
- University of Louisville School of Medicine
- Jefferson County Public Schools
- Kentucky Association of School Administrators (hosting Daniel Pink on Thursday, July 17)
- U.S. Department of Education
- Poll on Americans’ current concerns
Ten Moments That Shook the Sports World
Stan Isaacs has been a sportswriter and columnist for more than fifty years. He spent much of his career at Newsday, based in Long Island, New York, and covered many of the 20th century's historic sporting events. Isaacs provides an eyewitness account of some of those events in his new book, Ten Moments That Shook the Sports World. Rick Howlett spoke with Isaacs about the book and his career.
- Ten Moments That Shook the Sports World by Stan Isaacs
- Stan Isaacs’ "Out Of Left Field" online column
- Stan Isaacs in the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame