Your Energy Matters

Spring break is coming up and for those of you planning a “stay-cation,” LG&E and KU are throwing two big parties for the planet, and you’re invited.

Louisville Zoo – Once again, LG&E and KU will sponsor “Party for the Planet: A month-long Celebration of the Earth” at the Louisville Zoo, March 27 through April 24.

Enjoy a special $2 admission April 23 to mark Earth Day. Bring an old cell phone to recycle and receive a $2 discount on zoo admission April 3, 10 and 17.

Lexington Arboretum – For the first time, the company will sponsor a “Party for the Planet” at the Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky in Lexington, March 24 through April 30, with free events on Arbor Day, April 30.

Both celebrations offer a full schedule of activities throughout April. Check out zoo keeper presentations, tree walks, scavenger hunts, classes, costume characters, workshops, a children’s spring-break camp, special exhibits, tree seedling give-a-ways, music and more.

Don’t miss April 23 “Earth Day Festival” at the zoo and April 30 “Re-leaf” Arbor Day at the Arboretum. More than 40 “eco-exhibitors” will be set up at both locations. Louie the Lightning Bug and our Mini-City live electric safety demonstration will be on hand in addition to a full-day’s worth of fun and activities.

Visit the Louisville Zoo and the Lexington Arboretum online for more details.
Images courtesy of the Louisville Zoo and Lexington Arboretum

Often, when the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville are mentioned in the same sentence, they’re opponents on a ball field or basketball court. Heck, if you really want to get the blood pumping among your family, friends and coworkers, start talking about the Cats and the Cards and then see what happens.

But, today, presidents of both universities came together at the E.ON U.S. Center in downtown Louisville. There was no trash talking, no shouting fans, no bad officiating; only smiles, a few inspirational words and a great deal of thanks.

E.ON, the German parent company of E.ON U.S., donated $2 million each to UK and UofL to fund a combination of engineering scholarships and energy efficiency research. The E.ON U.S. Foundation also received $2 million to enhance charitable giving and strengthen efforts to improve the quality of life for people who live in the communities served by our utilities, Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities.

E.ON has announced its intention to sell E.ON U.S. to PPL Corp. of Allentown, Pa., and the transaction should be complete before year’s end. As a parting gesture to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, E.ON voluntarily made the $6 million donation to leave a lasting legacy for future generations through the state’s two largest public universities and our foundation. Dr. Johannes Teyssen, Chairman and CEO of E.ON, came from Düsseldorf to Louisville to present the checks to UofL President Dr. Jim Ramsey, UK President Lee Todd, Jr., and E.ON U.S. Chairman, CEO and President Vic Staffieri.

Since LG&E and KU serve customers throughout Kentucky, these gifts will ultimately benefit communities across the Bluegrass state. E.ON’s gifts mirror our own long-standing commitment to this area. The E.ON U.S. Foundation alone has contributed more than $20 million to the community since its inception in 1994.

So, whether you cheer for the Big Blue or you are a diehard Cardinal fan, the outcome was positive for everyone involved. All sides — and especially our community — were winners today.

- Jennifer Whelan