Ryan Van Velzer
Energy and Environment ReporterRyan Van Velzer is the Energy & Environment reporter at Louisville Public Media. He is dedicated to covering climate change and environmental issues across Kentucky.
Ryan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and has more than a decade of experience in the industry. He has worked for The Arizona Republic, The Associated Press, The South Florida Sun Sentinel and as a travel reporter in Central America and Southeast Asia.
He has won numerous awards including regional Edward R. Murrow awards, Associated Press Broadcasters awards and Society of Professional Journalists Louisville Pro Chapter awards.
Email him at rvanvelzer@lpm.org.
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Spend enough time in Louisville’s Butchertown neighborhood… or anywhere nearby, and you’ll eventually encounter the smell. It’s common knowledge the odor comes from Butchertown’s last remaining meatpacker, but what exactly is it? -
Researchers at the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest have spent nearly a decade tracking golden eagles as they migrate between Kentucky and Canada. Now, the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group is now using that research to develop a conservation plan.
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Climate scientists warn this may be humanity’s last chance to avert the worst impacts of warming as Kentucky stalls on climate action.
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Kentucky is conducting a second round of drinking water testing for chemicals found in non-stick cookware as the U.S. Environmental Agency proposes new standards.
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Electric utilities say ratepayers will be stuck spending more for outdated coal-fired power under a bill that passed the Kentucky Legislature on Thursday.
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The board overseeing air quality in Louisville unanimously voted to change the city’s odor regulations following a mediation agreement with the Swift Pork Company.
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On Wednesday, a Louisville board that oversees air quality regulations could vote to change odor rules that affect the entire city as part of a mediation agreement with Swift Pork Company.
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Surface mining companies could more easily get permits to dump pollution into streams under a bill moving through the Kentucky legislature. Supporters say it would help keep mines open, while opponents say it would result worse stream quality and increased oversight from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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In the first virtual meeting with community members, U.S. Department of Justice attorneys provided an overview of their investigative findings into the Louisville Metro Police Department, but did not take community comments or questions.
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The Ky. Senate approved a bill that would make it harder for utilities to retire coal-fired power plants. The utility industry says it will raise costs for ratepayers.
