Ozone Season is Here

Outdoor burning restricted in some counties

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 6, 2024) – May marks the beginning of ozone season in the Commonwealth, and for some, that means taking extra care to learn before you burn. From May 1 through September 30, outdoor burning in Boone, Boyd, Bullitt, Campbell, Jefferson, Kenton, Lawrence, and Oldham counties is restricted to protect air quality.

Ground-level ozone is a summertime health risk, created when pollutants chemically react in the atmosphere in the presence of heat and sunlight.

“Outdoor or open burning contributes to ozone pollution, especially when the weather turns warmer,” said Michael Kennedy, director of the Division for Air Quality. “Normally, we think of ozone as something that protects us when it’s up high in the atmosphere. But when ozone occurs at ground level, it’s a serious problem for human health.”

From May through September, outdoor burning of household rubbish, brush, tree limbs, leaves and natural growth from land clearing is not permitted in Boone, Boyd, Bullitt, Campbell, Kenton, and Oldham counties. A portion of Lawrence County is also subject to open burning restrictions during ozone season. Open burning is restricted year-round in Jefferson County.

All of these counties have, at one time or another, exceeded air quality standards for ozone or particulate matter pollution.

Burning trash – at any time of the year – is illegal in all Kentucky counties. State law prohibits the outdoor burning of many materials including plastic, tires, cans, coated wire, carpeting and food waste. In addition, the burning of trailers, buildings, and construction and demolition debris such as shingles, drywall and insulation is prohibited. 

Painted, stained or treated wood products such as fence posts, pallets, and furniture are illegal to burn, because they release dangerous toxins into the air. Items that cannot be recycled should be taken to a state-permitted landfill.

To report illegal open burning or to learn more about open burning restrictions in your area, please call the Division for Air Quality at 502-782-6592 or email burnlaw@ky.gov , or visit the division’s website at eec.ky.gov/Air.

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Kentucky Oil and Gas Workgroup to Meet May 8

Hybrid meeting will begin at 1 p.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 2, 2024) – The Kentucky Oil and Gas Workgroup will meet May 8, 2024 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Please plan to attend the meeting in person at the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, 300 Sower Blvd., 2nd Floor Conference Room, Frankfort, Kentucky, or call in using the number below.

Teleconference available for those unable to attend in person: 
(502)632-6289
Conference ID: 195 629 283#

Agenda:

• Discussion of class VI strawman
• New business
• Public comment period

Next meeting date is scheduled tentatively for June 7, 2024, 10 a.m. to noon.

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Division of Waste Management announces $4,000 grants available from the Waste Tire Trust Fund

Kentucky counties urged to apply for funds

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 1, 2024) – Kentucky counties can now apply for $4,000 in waste tire recycling and removal grants. The funds are available through the Division of Waste Management (DWM) Waste Tire Trust Fund.

Eligible expenses include the actual costs that the county incurs during the grant period for recycling or disposal of waste tires. Other expenses, such as labor and equipment costs, are not eligible.

“We look forward to the opportunity to work with our local communities to continue efforts to properly dispose of and recycle waste tires,” said Darin Steen, manager of DWM’s Recycling and Local Assistance Branch. “We encourage all those interested to apply.”

The grant period is July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Costs incurred by a county beginning July 1, 2024 for recycling or disposal of waste tires are eligible. Counties must submit receipts for those costs with their close-out report form by July 15, 2025.

Waste Tire Grant applications must be submitted no later than June 7th, 2024. These grants do not require a match. Any unused funds must be returned to the Cabinet by July 31, 2025.

The grant packets will be sent via email to county judge-executives and solid waste coordinators. They can also be found at https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Waste/recycling-and-local-assistance/waste-tires/Pages/default.aspx

For more information contact Jenny Carr at 502-782-4663 or jenny.carr@ky.gov.

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Kentucky Reclamation Guaranty Fund Commission to Meet May 7

Meeting begins at 9 a.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 26. 2024) – The Kentucky Reclamation Guaranty Fund Commission will meet on May 7, 2024 at 9 a.m. Eastern time via a hybrid method (in-person and virtual thru the Zoom Meeting platform).

For those attending in person, the meeting location will be: 
300 Sower Boulevard, 3^rd Floor, Secretary’s Conference Room, Frankfort, KY. Please contact Ms. Wendy Bohn at 502-782-1983 upon arrival. 

For those attending virtually: From your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82643997339?pwd=NXRzZkx2UUppRWFTU3FmdVlEOVFUQT09

Meeting ID: 826 4399 7339 
Passcode: 773521 

One tap mobile 
+13126266799,,82643997339#,,,,*773521# US (Chicago) 
+16469313860,,82643997339#,,,,*773521# US

Dial by your location

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• 833 928 4608 US Toll-free
• 833 928 4609 US Toll-free
• 833 928 4610 US Toll-free
• 877 853 5257 US Toll-free

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbu5RkWClz

Please note:  KRGF commissioners are encouraged to attend in person if possible.  If a commissioner is not in-person, video must be enabled to vote on commission business. For questions about connecting to the videoconference, please contact Courtney Skaggs at 502-782-6770.

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Funding available for transportation, local governments through the installation of solar, wind, fuel cells and/or biomass.

Webinars available for potential applicants, April 24, 2024

FRANKFORT (April 19, 2024) – The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) Office of Energy Policy (OEP) announces two new funding opportunities to help improve energy efficiency in Kentucky’s transportation sector, for local government buildings and facilities, and to assist local governments in reducing energy use through the installation of renewable energy technology such as solar, wind, fuel cells and/or biomass.

Zero-emission Vehicle Infrastructure
The Office of Energy Policy will be accepting applications for the installation and operation of light-duty zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment.  State, local, and federal government agencies in Kentucky are encouraged to apply for the reimbursable grant.  A total of $765,000 is available through the VW Environmental Mitigation Settlement. 

Maximum reimbursable rebate amounts available will be 50 percent of eligible project expenses up to $25,000 per project. The Level 2 charging location must be open to the public 24/7 and 7 days per week. Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for complete applications submitted to the OEP and will be made available until all funds are exhausted.  Project work cannot begin until applicants receive application approval from the Energy and Environment Cabinet.

A webinar to assist applicants will be held at 2 p.m. EST April 24, 2024. Register here for the VW Webinar

Energy Efficiency Conservation Blok Grant (EECBG)
Energy Efficiency Conservation Blok Grants will also be available from the Office of Energy Policy.  The EECBG program provides up to $2 million for energy efficiency projects undertaken through Kentucky’s local governments.  Up to five grants ranging between $500,000 to $1 million will be awarded for projects with an August 2024 start date.  While a cost share is not required, projects with a cost share will receive bonus points in scoring.

A webinar to assist applicants of the EECBGs will be held on April 24 at 10:30 a.m. EST. Register here for the EECBG Webinar

Applications and more information for both funding opportunities will be available at https://eec.ky.gov/Energy/Pages/default.aspx beginning April 24.

Potential projects include:   

• Energy Efficiency upgrades to local government buildings and facilities including distributed resources and district heating and cooling systems.
• Activities to increase participation in reducing, capturing and using methane and other greenhouse gases generated by landfills or similar sources.
• Replacement of traffic signals, street lighting, and other outdoor lighting with energy-efficient lighting technologies including light emitting diodes (LEDs) and other similar technologies.
• Implementation and installation on or in any government building of the eligible entity of onsite renewable energy technology that generates electricity from renewable resources including solar, wind, fuel cells, and/or biomass.

To provide grant assistance across the state, local governments in communities that have received direct funding allocations from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Community Facilities Disaster program or underserved designated communities are not eligible to apply. 

These are the counties and cities that cannot apply for EECBG funds from the Office of Energy Policy because they were able to get a direct allocation from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Cities	Counties
Louisville	Boone
Lexington	Campbell
Florence	Kenton
Bowling Green	Warren
Richmond	Bullitt
Georgetown	Laurel
Owensboro	McCracken
Hopkinsville	Oldham
Elizabethtown	Pulaski
Covington	Hardin

For more information, contact Lona.Brewer@ky.gov, Office of Energy Policy, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.

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Lead in Drinking Water Working Group to Meet April 29

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 19, 2024) – The Lead in Drinking Water Working Group will hold a hybrid meeting (in person at 300 Sower Blvd in Frankfort and by videoconference) on April 29, 2024 from 1–3 p.m. EST. If you have questions about connecting to the videoconference, please contact Elizabeth Dowling at elizabeth.dowling@ky.gov or 502-782-0965.
In person:
300 Sower Blvd., Third floor conference room
Frankfort, KY 40601

Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83657937116?pwd=dFVQU2ZvUjdWYTczVnlLY256ZnJDQT09
Meeting ID: 836 5793 7116
Passcode: 945665
Dial in: 833 548 0282 US Toll-free
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ktEksBZnU

Agenda
1. Call meeting to order and call for changes in membership
2. Change in roles – chair, co-chair
3. Summarize efforts to provide comments on LCRI
4. Subgroup working time (discuss survey)
     Small systems
     Funding/financing
     Lead service line inventories and replacements
     Public communications
     Corrosion control
     Schools and childcare centers
     Procedures
     Regulatory
5. DWSRF updates – Russell Neal
6. EPA updates
7. Primacy agreement updates – Ethan Givan or TK Brown
8. Public comment opportunity
9. Set next meeting date – propose Wednesday, July 31 at 10:00
Adjourn

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Division of Water Invites Review and Comment on Kentucky’s Impaired Waters and Priorities Through Interactive Website

The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) has opened a 60-day comment period on the draft 2024 303(d) list of impaired waters as required by KRS 224.70-150. Accompanying this public notice is a draft of Kentucky’s 2022-2032 303(d) and Impaired Waters Prioritization Framework, also open for public comment. Comments received by email or mail must be dated or postmarked no later than June 15, 2024. Comments may be sent:
– Via email (preferred method) to TMDL@ky.gov (Subject line: “303(d) List”)
– Via U.S. Mail to: Water Quality Branch (ATTN: 303(d) List)
Kentucky Division of Water
300 Sower Blvd., 3rd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601

The DOW has developed a dedicated public notice site to view the draft 303(d) list with the prioritization framework, new listings (Figure 1), proposed delistings, waters with completed total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), and the 305(b) list. Spreadsheets and interactive maps with video tutorials are available through this site. Links to assessment summaries and TMDL documents are available through the map dashboards or in the provided spreadsheets.

Figure 1. New listings map from the public notice site, which displays waterbodies with pollutants that are newly listed on the 2024 303(d) list as causes of impairment (not meeting water quality standards) and require a TMDL (total maximum daily load).

Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to submit a biennial report to EPA describing the quality of the state’s waters and to provide an inventory of waterbodies with water quality that supports, or fails to support, its designated uses (e.g., primary contact recreation, aquatic life, fish consumption, etc.). Section 303(d) of the CWA requires states to identify and maintain a list of impaired waters, and to develop a TMDL for each pollutant-waterbody combination that does not meet water quality criteria.

EPA recently released its 2022 – 2032 Vision for the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program. As part of the 2024 public notice process, DOW has provided a draft of Kentucky’s 2022-2032 303(d) and Impaired Waters Prioritization Framework. The draft Prioritization Framework communicates goals (Figure 2) and priorities in addressing impaired waters in the Commonwealth for the coming years.

Figure 2. Excerpt from Kentucky’s draft 2022-2032 303(d) and Impaired Waters Prioritization Framework.

The 2024 reporting cycle focuses on DOW’s Ambient Rivers program from the Green and Tradewater Rivers Basin Management Unit, DOW’s Ambient Lakes program from 2021 and 2022, and DOW’s Probabilistic Biological Monitoring program from 2017-2021, where a statewide approach was newly implemented. Data collected by other internal programs and external data contributors provide updates throughout the state. In total, 993 stations had new data available to update 780 assessments.

The draft 2024 305(b) list has 3,168 assessment units representing 13,691.8 river miles, 213,075 lake/reservoir acres, and 192,514 springshed acres. On the draft 2024 305(b) list, there are 3,859 pollutant-waterbody combinations (Figure 3). On the draft 2024 303(d) list, there are 3,070 pollutant-waterbody combinations, which require a TMDL (Figure 3). Broken down by waterbody type, 1,607 rivers/streams are on the draft 303(d) list totaling 7,565.0 river miles, 72 lakes/reservoirs are on the 303(d) list totaling 186,664.0 acres, and nine springs are on the 303(d) list totaling 82,988 springshed acres.

Assessment results from the 2022 Integrated Report can be accessed at the Kentucky Water Health Portal. Responses to comments received during the public comment period will be included in the Integrated Report to Congress. Upon EPA approval of the 2024 303(d) list, the Water Health Portal will be updated with the 2024 305(b) assessment information. Information, updates, and resources about the Prioritization Framework will be maintained on the TMDL Priorities webpage.

Figure 3. Number of impairments on the draft 2024 305(b) list (black bars) and how many of these impairments are on the draft 2024 303(d) list requiring a TMDL (gray bars).

Feasibility Study Completed for Hydrogen-Powered Truck Operations in Kentucky

The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s (EEC) Office of Energy Policy (OEP) has published the results of a year-long feasibility study that could help advance Kentucky’s hydrogen economy, reduce freight emissions, and support leadership in the manufacturing and transportation sectors.

Completed by HDR, Inc. an engineering firm in Lexington, through the efforts of Kentucky’s regional Hydrogen Hub Workgroup, the Hydrogen-Powered Truck Operations in Kentucky Feasibility Study examines the potential for hydrogen powered truck operations in Kentucky, identifying opportunities, constraints, and possible funding sources.

The study considered two potential hydrogen truck refueling scenarios, including one which would connect manufacturing facilities, and possibly suppliers, along a major manufacturing corridor, and also a regional hub-and -spoke approach, in which all vehicles would depart from, and return to, the same facility.

Over the last several years, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has established a federally designated national network of Hydrogen Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).  In Kentucky, the Hydrogen AFCs include the major interstates: I-64, I-65, I-71, and I-64. 

The AFC designations allow Kentucky to pursue funding for public hydrogen stations along these highways. According to the study, the goal would be to construct a public hydrogen fueling station on these corridors that are no more than 150 miles apart in any direction of travel, and no more than five miles from the nearest interchange or intersection along the AFC.

The study identified both short and long-term actionable steps to advance hydrogen powered truck fueling in the state. These include building awareness, identifying funding for hydrogen research, development, and infrastructure, developing a request for partners to establish hydrogen fueling stations and future high-volume hydrogen production facilities, and developing hydrogen infrastructure standards.

The study recommended two primary options:

• A single public refueling station built as a hub for regional operations that could serve to support some combination of shipping company operations (e.g., Amazon, DHL, UPS), major manufacturing operations (e.g., Toyota or Ford), and/or transit operators (e.g., TARC, TANK, or Lextran).

• A multi-station long-distance refueling operation, which would likely involve freight shipping for one or more major manufacturing companies (e.g., Toyota, Ford, or GM), though other long-distance delivery companies may be interested in being part of it.

“This study is an excellent example of collaboration and transparency among stakeholders representing public and private sectors,” says EEC Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman.  “Working together, we have created a realistic pathway to support policy and incentives for low-carbon fuel in our transportation sector.”

Hydrogen and other low-carbon renewable fuels are a key priority in Governor Beshear’s Energy Strategy, KYE3, where energy, economic development, and the environment are interconnected, Goodman said.

Freight and freight-related industries are central to Kentucky’s economy. Kentucky is within a day’s drive of 65 percent of the U.S. population. A Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 study reports that 12 percent of Kentucky jobs are in the transportation sector.  Kentucky has more than 600 logistics and distribution facilities that employ more than 91,000 people.

The Hydrogen-Powered Truck Operations in Kentucky Feasibility Study is available on the EEC website.

https://eec.ky.gov/Energy/Pages/Kentucky-Hydrogen-Hub-Workgroup.aspx

For more information contact Steven Barrera, steven.thomasbarrera@ky.gov, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Office of Energy Policy.

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Grant Funding Available for Green Infrastructure that Addresses Stormwater Runoff

Letters of intent due by May 1

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 8, 2024) – Team Kentucky, through the Green Infrastructure Assistance Program (GIAP), is seeking grant applications for projects that help rural and/or disadvantaged communities address stormwater issues by applying green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

Runoff from stormwater can carry trash, bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants into local waterways. Green infrastructure, including plant and soil systems, permeable pavement, landscaping, or wetlands, works to filter and absorb stormwater.

“Green infrastructure can help reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters, which helps keep our waterways clean and reduce potential for flooding,” said Dale Booth, coordinator for the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Division of Water’s source water protection program. “We look forward to working with our communities on these unique projects that not only address pollution, but support resiliency, and provide environmental, social and economic benefits.”

Funds are provided through the U.S. EPA’s Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant (OSG) and is available for green infrastructure planning, design, and construction.

While all communities are encouraged to apply, those that qualify as rural or disadvantaged will receive priority in project ranking. Rural communities are those with a population of less than 10,000 people.  A disadvantaged community is defined using Kentucky’s annual  Intended Use Plans , the  Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) , or the  Environmental Justice Screening Tool (EJ Screen) . Communities that do not meet definitions for rural or disadvantaged are required to provide 20 percent matching funds. 

Letters of intent to apply are optional but highly recommended and are due May 1, 2024. Project application forms must be submitted no later than June 30, 2024. 

To determine if your project is eligible and to obtain the letter of intent form and other supporting documents, please visit the grant funding program page. For more information,

For examples of green infrastructure practices visit https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3bd48a5ce50846debd0140cb9bbfa75d.

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Kentucky Oil and Gas Workgroup to Meet April 12

Hybrid meeting will begin at 10 a.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 5, 2024) – The Kentucky Oil and Gas Workgroup will meet April 12, 2024 at 10 a.m. Eastern time. Please plan to attend the meeting in person at the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, 300 Sower Blvd., 3rd Floor Conference Room, Frankfort, Kentucky, or call in using the number below.

Teleconference available for those unable to attend in person: 
(502)632-6289
Conference ID: 541 127 004#

Agenda:

• Updates on Infrastructure Bill – Current status of well plugging, and initial grant and formula grant processes. (Dennis Hatfield)
• Groundwater protection plan for oil and gas producers (DOW)
• Discussion of class VI strawman (Bill Barr and John Henderson)
• New business
• Public comment period

Next meeting date is scheduled tentatively for July 7, 2024, 10 a.m. to noon.

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