The City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability today provided AES Indiana with a letter including comments on their Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). This plan, which is submitted to the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission every three years, represents a critical opportunity for AES Indiana and the City to further coordinate to ensure Indianapolis and its residents have equitable access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

Survey results from more than 1,200 residents last year found strong support was given to EV charging stations and placemaking options. Placemaking could involve space for pop-up businesses, arts and culture or resource opportunities. The City wants to encourage mobility options including e-scooter stations or space for shared transit options.

Knozone Action Days occur when ozone levels rise above certain thresholds, making the air quality unhealthy for sensitive individuals, such as active children, elderly people and those suffering from any lung-related disease or health issue. These individuals are encouraged to stay inside.

On an average day, medics will respond to 0 to 3 heat-related calls, but this week medics are responding to around 4x that amount.

Breakdown on the number of calls this week:

• Monday - 7 calls

• Tuesday - 12 calls

• Wednesday - 13 calls

IndyGo has unveiled a new line of buses it expects will help with air quality, especially on air quality action days. The Allison-Glen Flex electric bus was rolled out Tuesday night on Monument Circle. The goal of the bus is to reduce the amount of emissions being put in the air, Carrie Black, a spokesperson for IndyGo, said.

The College Football Playoff says January’s national championship game in Indianapolis was the most sustainable championship in the event’s history. Through the CFP’s Playoff Green program, the organization says teams hand-sorted and recovered more than 117 tons of materials throughout downtown Indy over a two-week period.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management warned this record heat will likely cause high ozone levels, which means poor air quality. This will be especially dangerous to vulnerable people like those with asthma, young children, older adults and anyone with COVID-19, lung disease or other serious health problems.

Amid potentially record-breaking heat, Hogsett told residents to stay cool, stay inside if possible, check on neighbors and pets, and to look before they lock, which refers to drivers ensuring there are no children or pets in the car before they leave the vehicle.

Since 2012, several high-profile thoroughfares have gotten the Complete Streets treatment: Sunset Avenue near Butler University, Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Street, streets where bus rapid transit lines have been built, and now Broad Ripple Avenue and West Morris Street.

What do the cities of Indianapolis and Accra, the capital of Ghana, have in common? At first glance, not much. Yet even with disparate geographies — from the Gulf of Guinea to the American corn belt — Accra and Indianapolis are among the world’s leaders in addressing the public health challenges associated with climate change, according to the World Health Organization.

Innovative ways to revitalize greenspace in Indianapolis were considered Monday by the City-County Council's Environmental Sustainability Committee. New funding options in the environmental realm could create opportunities for parks, urban canopy and other green projects.

WHO chose Indianapolis as one of six pilot cities for the study on how climate change affects public health. Director of the Office of Sustainability for the City of Indianapolis Morgan Mickelson says a 2019 study of Indianapolis done by their office played a role in Indianapolis as a choice.

The World Health Organization worked with the city's Office of Sustainability and the county health department to put together a document detailing the hazards and risks Indy residents face, as well as what actions the city has taken to adapt to the changing climate. The report also lists specific additional actions the city can take to further its resiliency to the effects of climate change.

This morning, Mayor Joe Hogsett joined leadership from the City-County Council and the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center (INRC) to announce the City of Indianapolis Neighborhood Grant Program. This initiative seeks to increase resident engagement, promote neighborhood action, and establish new and stronger relationships among neighbors and community-based organizations.

A new report offers a snapshot of the Indianapolis climate and how it affects the people who live here. The world health organization chose Indianapolis as one of six pilot cities for this project.

As the nation today marks the 150th annual Arbor Day, the City of Indianapolis celebrates its recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for the City’s commitment to effective urban forest management. This is the 34th consecutive year that the Urban Forestry team has achieved this designation.

The World Health Organization (“WHO”) in partnership with the City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability and the Marion County Public Health Department today announced the publication of a Health and Climate Change Urban Profile for the city of Indianapolis.

Air Quality Awareness Week is May 2-6 this year.

In Indy, the city’s Office of Sustainability has planned a campaign to raise awareness about Knozone, an initiative to make central Indiana one of the region’s most sustainable, livable places.

The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability today announced that new funding from the American Cities Climate Challenge Equity Capacity Building Fund will allow project staff to better integrate equity considerations into the future of the Thriving Buildings benchmarking program. The program will contract local consultant Engaging Solutions to seek paid feedback from community members who own buildings or businesses, and/or who may be interested in benchmarking their energy and water usage.

Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) announced it has received a $25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the Connected Communities Initiative, a collaboration with the City of Indianapolis. The funding will significantly expand and enhance pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in Marion County, with a focus on improving access and opportunity for underappreciated communities.