Louisville Mayor signs executive order hoping for cleaner air by 2040
Mayor Greg Fischer is hoping to cut emissions 50 percent by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
Mayor Greg Fischer is hoping to cut emissions 50 percent by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
Mayor Greg Fischer is hoping to cut emissions 50 percent by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
With less than 100 days left in office, Mayor Greg Fischer signed an executive order later saying, "I was thinking about my granddaughters. They're 3 years old and 6 months old."
Previously, the city had hoped to achieve an 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2050. But since setting that initial target, Fischer, citing climate control, decided to fast-track things.
He announced Wednesday that he hoped to cut emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040. And the timing, he said, with the recent passing of the inflation reduction act, couldn't be better.
"That's going to further accelerate our work by providing further additional consumer tax credits, rebates, grants, and other incentives to help residents and businesses access technologies that will save money and reduce emissions," Fischer said.
Sumedha Rao, a sustainability specialist with the city of Louisville, expected support among businesses to grow.
"We feel like now that we're on board with these goals and accelerating a lot of programs it's only going to support them in helping meet their goals faster as well, so it's definitely going to be a collaborative effort," Rao said.
Fischer called on not just businesses, but those calling Louisville home to do their part.
"It's the right thing to do obviously for our community but it's all personal for each of us, when we think about our kids and grandkids and nieces and nephews," Fischer said.