Sep 6 Environment City Signs Contract With Emergency Alert System Provider Louisville Metro Government has signed a contract with a company to provide an emergency alert system for the city. Talks have been underway for months since an explosion in the Rubbertown neighborhood left residents unsure of whether to flee or shelter in place. The city signed a contract with Florida-based Emergency Communications Network last week, […] By Erica Peterson Sep 6 Environment City Signs Contract With Emergency Alert System Provider Erica Peterson
Aug 12 Environment Rubbertown Company Plans to Stop Using Hazardous Chemical A chemical company in Louisville’s Rubbertown neighborhood is taking the first step to move away from using a hazardous chemical. But the new chemicals, while not technically “hazardous,” still can cause problems with human health and the environment. Last month, American Synthetic Rubber applied for a permit from Metro Government to start a construction project. […] By Erica Peterson Aug 12 Environment Rubbertown Company Plans to Stop Using Hazardous Chemical Erica Peterson
Aug 12 Environment Event Highlights Local Environmental Justice Concerns Tomorrow, residents of west and southwest Louisville will hold an environmental justice fair at Chickasaw Park. Dubbed “People Not Poisons,” the organizers are trying to call attention to the large concentration of chemical and power plants in their neighborhoods, which are mostly African-American or white working class. Michele Roberts will speak at the event. She’s […] By Erica Peterson Aug 12 Environment Event Highlights Local Environmental Justice Concerns Erica Peterson
Aug 8 Environment Rubbertown Company to Stop Using Hazardous Chemical A Louisville chemical company plans to end its use of a hazardous chemical at its Rubbertown plant. The substance American Synthetic Rubber plans to stop using—toluene—is the same one that’s leaked twice in the past few weeks. Toluene is a hazardous chemical that’s used in manufacturing rubber. Both times the releases were minor—they were a […] By Erica Peterson Aug 8 Environment Rubbertown Company to Stop Using Hazardous Chemical Erica Peterson
Aug 5 Environment Rubbertown Plant Reports Second Chemical Release in Two Weeks Around 5:00 in the morning, American Synthetic Rubber reported a toluene release at its Rubbertown plant—the second one at the plant in two weeks. Toluene is a sweet-smelling, colorless solvent. It’s used to make rubber, and can be dangerous if inhaled in large quantities. The release was minor, and it was classified as a level […] By Erica Peterson Aug 5 Environment Rubbertown Plant Reports Second Chemical Release in Two Weeks Erica Peterson
Aug 1 Environment Rubbertown Activists Oppose Proposed Zeon Settlement The deadline for residents of Louisville’s Rubbertown neighborhood to file a claim in a class action settlement against Zeon Chemicals is nearing. The lawsuit has been going on since 2007, and this is the third proposed settlement. The tentative agreement would give anyone living within a mile of the plant a maximum payment of $750. […] By Erica Peterson Aug 1 Environment Rubbertown Activists Oppose Proposed Zeon Settlement Erica Peterson
Jul 21 Environment Chemical Spill Reported in Rubbertown–Update: Spill Is Contained A chemical spill has been reported in Louisville’s Rubbertown neighborhood, but officials say there’s no threat to the public. American Synthetics on Campground Road reported a leak of toluene this evening. Toluene is a clear liquid that smells like paint thinner. It’s used to make rubber, paints and adhesives. The spill is under control, and […] By Erica Peterson Jul 21 Environment Chemical Spill Reported in Rubbertown–Update: Spill Is Contained Erica Peterson
Jul 11 Local News Fire Departments Merge in Southwest Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer formally approved the merger between two southwest Louisville fire departments on Monday. The all-volunteer fire station Dixie Suburban will now become Lake Dreamland Station 3. Increased costs and a decrease in volunteers led to the decision, said Dixie Suburban officials. Dixie Suburban covers about 1.5 square miles in southwest Louisville, and it […] By Devin Katayama Jul 11 Local News Fire Departments Merge in Southwest Louisville Devin Katayama
Jun 23 Environment Rubbertown Residents Weigh Potential Emergency Alert Systems After an explosion at Carbide Industries’ Rubbertown chemical plant led to community confusion, Metro Government promised to improve the area’s public alert system. Last night, community members heard from the two finalists in the running to install their systems in Louisville. Eleven companies submitted bids, but Metro Government narrowed that number down to two. Those […] By Erica Peterson Jun 23 Environment Rubbertown Residents Weigh Potential Emergency Alert Systems Erica Peterson
Jun 9 Environment Fischer Says Alert System Should Be Functional by Mid-August Mayor Greg Fischer says a new alert system should be in place by mid-August to warn neighborhoods of industrial accidents, like the one last March in Rubbertown. At the meeting last night, Fischer and his staff described the city’s requirements for a new alert system, to avoid the confusion that followed the explosion at Carbide […] By Erica Peterson Jun 9 Environment Fischer Says Alert System Should Be Functional by Mid-August Erica Peterson
Jun 9 Environment Fischer to Update Residents on Rubbertown Emergency Alert System Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer will hold a public meeting Thursday evening to update the public on his administration’s response to the March explosion in a Rubbertown plant that killed two workers. After the blast at Carbide Industries’ chemical plant, nearby residents were given conflicting instructions. Some were told to stay in their homes, while others […] By Erica Peterson Jun 9 Environment Fischer to Update Residents on Rubbertown Emergency Alert System Erica Peterson
Mar 28 Local News City and Carbide Officials to Meet With Rubbertown Residents Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer will meet with residents of the Rubbertown neighborhood Monday evening. The meeting comes a week after an explosion and fire at the Carbide Industries plant that killed two workers and closed streets in the area for hours. By Gabe Bullard Mar 28 Local News City and Carbide Officials to Meet With Rubbertown Residents Gabe Bullard
Mar 28 Local News Activist Responds to Rubbertown Explosion Today on State of Affairs we heard a portion of Phillip M. Bailey's interview with activist Attica Scott in response to last week's explosion at Carbide Industries in the Rubbertown neighborhood. By Laura Ellis Mar 28 Local News Activist Responds to Rubbertown Explosion Laura Ellis
Mar 25 State of Affairs State of the News STATE OF AFFAIRS 03/25/11: It's been a busy news week & we'll talk about it all on State of the News. An explosion in Rubbertown and a hazardous leak in Butchertown have many residents calling for improvements to the emergency response system. The interim director of Louisville Metro Animal Services has stepped down with no replacement yet selected. Also exiting is Allan Cowen, who announced his retirement as CEO of the Fund for the Arts, effective at the end of April. Join us for these metro stories, plus a check-in on the Kentucky & Indiana General Assemblies. Listen to the Show By Laura Ellis Mar 25 State of Affairs State of the News Laura Ellis
Mar 24 Politics Mayor Fischer on Industrial Accidents, Layoffs, Whiskey Row On WFPL's State of Affairs Thursday, Fischer discussed: the city budget; Metro Government's response to recent industrial accidents in Rubbertown and Butchertown; the future of Whiskey Row; and his thoughts on Metro Council discretionary spending. You can listen to the full interview here. By Gabe Bullard Mar 24 Politics Mayor Fischer on Industrial Accidents, Layoffs, Whiskey Row Gabe Bullard