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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A measure creating a healthy soils program has been introduced in the state Legislature. It’s at least the fourth time the bill has been proposed. -
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced Kentucky will receive more than $22 million to abate forever chemicals and other emerging contaminants found in drinking water in rural and disadvantaged communities.
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Pollution from the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, continues to flow down the Ohio River at a rate of about 25 miles per day. Concentrations are diminishing over time, according to the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission.
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A strong low pressure system is moving into the Ohio Valley overnight bringing the possibility of severe storms, hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 miles per hour.
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A concentration of chemicals from the train derailment in eastern Ohio has entered the Ohio River. State and local officials say it smells, but it’s unlikely to present a risk to human health.
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For the last three years, Kentucky Democrats have filed legislation to amend the state constitution to include a right to clean air, water and healthy habitats, but the bill has never received a hearing.
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Louisville plans to reach net-zero emissions communitywide by 2040. The newly elevated Office of Sustainability has only one employee, but she’s got plans for expansion.
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The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled a Kentucky law discounting coal for in-state utilities likely violated constitutional protections for interstate commerce.
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Tens of thousands of the migratory sandhill cranes are expected to pass through Kentucky over the next few weeks. Officials with Fish and Wildlife Resources say the birds have been thriving in recent years, climbing to their highest population ever.
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Utilities and pipeline executives spoke to Kentucky lawmakers about failures of the power system during Winter Storm Elliott in December.
