Apr 25 Environment Long-Awaited Study Lays Out Ways Louisville Can Beat Urban Heat Island The term “urban heat island” refers to the difference in temperature between urban and rural areas. The study says reducing its effects could save lives. By Erica Peterson Apr 25 Environment Study Details How Louisville Can Beat Urban Heat Island Erica Peterson
Apr 21 Environment Fischer To Sign Commitment To Reduce Louisville’s Greenhouse Gases Mayor Fischer will commemorate Earth Day Friday by signing a compact that commits the city to reducing greenhouse gases to address climate change. By Erica Peterson Apr 21 Environment Fischer To Sign Commitment To Reduce Louisville Emissions Erica Peterson
Mar 21 Environment Researchers Have A New Solution For Carbon Dioxide: Turn It Into Concrete The process captures the carbon dioxide and turns it into a concrete-like material that can be used for construction. They’re calling it CO2NCRETE. By Erica Peterson Mar 21 Environment Researchers Turn Carbon Dioxide Into Concrete Erica Peterson
Jan 26 Environment Environment Secretary Says Kentucky Hasn’t Ruled Out State Carbon Plan Kentucky’s head environmental regulator says the state is hopeful the courts will rule upcoming federal carbon dioxide regulations are illegal. But if not, the state will likely create a state plan to comply, he said. Last week, the Energy and Environment Cabinet announced it would seek an extension from the Environmental Protection Agency, buying the […] By Erica Peterson Jan 26 Environment Environment Secretary Says Kentucky Hasn’t Ruled Out State Carbon Plan Erica Peterson
Jan 20 Environment A ‘Scorcher’: 2015 Shatters Record As Warmest Year, NASA And NOAA Say The Northern Hemisphere saw the biggest rise in land temperatures, finishing 2.59 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the 20th century average. By NPR Jan 20 Environment A ‘Scorcher’: 2015 Shatters Record As Warmest Year, NASA And NOAA Say NPR
Dec 14 Environment Bill Would Declare Kentucky a ‘Sanctuary’ Against Federal Carbon Rules A bill pre-filed in the General Assembly would declare Kentucky a “sanctuary state” for people and companies who don’t want to follow federal environmental laws that will restrict carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Jim Gooch, a Democrat from Providence in Western Kentucky. It would block the state Energy and […] By Erica Peterson Dec 14 Environment Bill Would Declare Kentucky a ‘Sanctuary’ Against Federal Carbon Rules Erica Peterson
Dec 7 Environment Climate Change Group Opens Louisville Chapter, Makes Economic Argument As international climate change talks begin their final week in Paris, a non-profit is opening a new chapter in Louisville to teach residents how to lobby Congress for action. Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a grassroots organization that’s making an economic argument for addressing climate change. Spokesman Steve Valk said even if the Paris talks produce […] By Erica Peterson Dec 7 Environment Climate Change Group Opens Louisville Chapter, Makes Economic Argument Erica Peterson
Nov 30 Environment 10 Things To Know About The U.N. Climate Talks In Paris Here's a bit about what you should know going into the 2015 U.N. Climate Change Conference beginning Nov. 30. By NPR Nov 30 Environment 10 Things To Know About The U.N. Climate Talks In Paris NPR
Nov 23 Environment Kentucky Unprepared for Climate Change Risks, Analysis Shows Kentucky isn’t nearly as prepared as it should be to address coming risks from climate change. That’s according to a new analysis by the nonprofit Climate Central and consultant ICF International, which found that the commonwealth faces a series of risks ranging from severe weather to wildfires. Over the next 35 years, Kentucky has an above-average risk […] By Erica Peterson Nov 23 Environment Kentucky Unprepared for Climate Change Risks, Analysis Shows Erica Peterson
Nov 18 Environment Kentucky Should Prepare Plan For EPA’s Carbon Rules, Regulator Says In the final weeks of Gov. Steve Beshear’s administration, state regulators and legislators haven’t closed the door on the possibility that Kentucky will create its own plan to comply with upcoming federal carbon dioxide regulations. Len Peters, secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, spoke Tuesday before a special legislative task force made up of lawmakers and industry […] By Erica Peterson Nov 18 Environment Kentucky Should Prepare Plan For EPA’s Carbon Rules, Regulator Says Erica Peterson
Aug 21 Environment Weather Complaints Affirmed: NOAA Says July Was Hottest Month Globally On Record Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report that July had the highest average temperatures since records have been kept. By NPR Aug 21 Environment Weather Complaints Affirmed: NOAA Says July Was Hottest Month Globally On Record NPR
Aug 14 Environment Kentucky Regulators Still Seeking Clarity on Federal Greenhouse Gas Rules Kentucky regulators will likely not get more clarity for awhile on the formulas behind the federal government’s greenhouse gas projections for the state. John Lyons, assistant secretary for climate policy for the state, said the Environmental Protection Agency has sent him only minimal information after two weeks of conversations. Lyons and other regulators have questioned how […] By Erica Peterson Aug 14 Environment Kentucky Regulators Still Seeking Clarity on Federal Greenhouse Gas Rules Erica Peterson
Aug 4 Environment Beshear Supports Suit Against EPA, Unclear on Future of State Carbon Plan Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear was unclear Tuesday evening about whether his Energy and Environment Cabinet would continue working on a plan to help the state comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s final Clean Power Plan, which it released the day before. The governor also said he would support a lawsuit against the EPA over the new rule, aligning […] By Erica Peterson Aug 4 Environment Beshear Supports Suit Against EPA, Unclear on Future of State Carbon Plan Erica Peterson
Aug 4 Environment What the Future of Kentucky’s Carbon Emissions Could Look Like The rollout Monday of the federal Clean Power Plan was heralded by environmental groups and criticized by the coal industry and many Kentucky politicians. But it was also somewhat of a surprise for Kentucky regulators, who are crafting a transition document to hand over to the next governor’s administration in December. The Environmental Protection Agency’s earlier […] By Erica Peterson Aug 4 Environment What the Future of Kentucky’s Carbon Emissions Could Look Like Erica Peterson
Aug 3 Environment For Kentucky, EPA Estimates the State Could Comply With Clean Power Plan a Decade Early The Environmental Protection Agency’s final draft of the Clean Power Plan includes stricter regulations than originally proposed. But under one of the two ways outlined to measure carbon dioxide emissions, Kentucky is already on track to comply a decade before the deadline, according to EPA forecasts. The Clean Power Plan — finalized Monday — is the country’s […] By Erica Peterson Aug 3 Environment For Kentucky, EPA Estimates the State Could Comply With Clean Power Plan a Decade Early Erica Peterson