The LFUCG joined the University of Kentucky, Fayette County Public Schools, and other Partners to form the new Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community in August of 2005. The purpose of this Partnership is to create a greener Lexington and Bluegrass Region that helps to ensure the local economy remains vibrant and sustainable. To accomplish this mission, the Partnership promotes sustainable environmental practices, will endeavor to educate students, employees and citizens on environmental issues, and will work with other public and private sector organizations to protect and preserve the local environment.

Since this Partnership was formed, Bylaws have been adopted and the Partnership has formed Teams in 10 areas. These include the Reduce Reuse and Recycle Team, Green Purchasing Team, Communication and Outreach Team, Green Buildings Team, Environmental Education, Transportation, Water and Storm Water, Foods and Sustainability, Green Space, and FEI Games.

Some of the projects that the Partnership has undertaken include:

US Mayor’s National City Recycling Challenge- This contest, which is held during the last two weeks of September, challenges communities to collect and recycle aluminum beverage cans. The City of Lexington participated in this contest for the first time in 2006 using the theme of Yes We Can! and over 3,780,000 cans were recycled in Fayette County during the contest. We also won the Most Innovative Ideas category for cities with a population of 250,000 or more, receiving a $5,000 monetary award. This contest was a joint initiative between the LFUCG and the Bluegrass Partnership Reduce Reuse and Recycle Team and the Communication and Outreach Team.

Biodiesel– The LFUCG joined with UK, FCPS and LexTran in a new 2006 initiative to promote the use of biodiesel in Fayette County. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that is typically made from soybeans. Using biodiesel conserves natural resources and helps reduce particulate emissions. For our part, the LFUCG committed to dispensing diesel containing 10% biodiesel (B10) from an underground storage tank (UST) located at the Town Branch Treatment Plant (cold weather permitting) to fuel sanitary sewer diesel-powered vehicles (this occurred at the beginning of October). We also agreed to purchase B10 commercially for approximately 150 additional LFUCG vehicles. Over 15,600 gallons of biodiesel have been used by the LFUCG since this initiative, coordinated by Lexington MPO staff and done under the Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community umbrella, began. The LFUCG also committed to switch to “on road” diesel fuel in our off road diesel equipment; on road diesel contains significantly less sulfur than off road diesel which also helps to reduce harmful air emissions.

You can learn more about the Bluegrass Partnership for A Green Community.