More than $6M to fund air quality projects in Jefferson County

Funds from Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2015) — More than $6 million has been awarded to the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government and City of Jeffersontown to improve safety and air quality in Kentucky’s most populous county, Gov. Steve Beshear announced today.

A total of $6,359,960 in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds will be provided for:

• Kentuckiana Air Education (KAIRE) program – $480,000. This program educates the public about the health effects of poor air quality, raises awareness of ozone season, and encourages behavior that will help local air quality.
• UPS CNG Trucks and Fueling Station – $4,823,960. This public-private partnership between Louisville Metro Government and UPS will assist in the UPS transition from diesel-gasoline vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles at the UPS facility in Louisville. Funding will be used to help pay for CNG trucks and construction of a CNG fueling station.
• City of Jeffersontown – $1,056,000. Funding is for construction of a paved bicycle-pedestrian path parallel to Watterson Trail between Stonybrook Drive and Mulberry Row Way, a distance of 0.83 miles. The city proposed it as part of a system that would afford those who use it an alternative to motor vehicles.

“To have a healthy commonwealth, we must have clean air, which means reduced emissions,” Beshear said. “CMAQ funding helps us in working toward that goal.”

Federal CMAQ funds are for innovative transportation projects or programs aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. Kentucky annually receives CMAQ funds for use in areas striving to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Such areas are designated “nonattainment” or “maintenance” for the standards.

CMAQ funds are available to state and local government agencies as well as private entities through public-private partnerships. Nonprofit organizations may also apply in partnership with state or local government agencies.

KYTC solicits applications and makes awards annually for CMAQ funds. The cabinet’s Office of Local Programs administers all CMAQ funds and project applications.