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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

LA Moves Toward|All Renewable Energy

LOS ANGELES (CN) — The Los Angeles City Council voted Friday to ask the LA Department of Water and Power to chart a course to achieve a 100 percent clean energy portfolio.

Under the motion created by 2nd District Councilman Paul Krekorian and 11th District Councilman Mike Bonin, the Department of Water and Power will collaborate with energy experts and local universities to explore how to generate all electricity using renewable energy.

Calling Los Angeles a "leader in the fight against climate change," Mayor Eric Garcetti said the move complements his goal of having the Department of Water and Power use 50 percent renewable energy by 2030. Garcetti wants the department to stop using coal by 2025 and to move away from natural gas sources.

"Environmental stewardship is a value we treasure in LA, and I'm grateful to councilmembers Bonin and Krekorian, and the entire City Council, for bringing us another step closer to cleaner air, healthier families and a stronger economy," Garcetti said.

The written motion sets no deadline for when the Department of Water and Power needs to achieve a 100 percent clean energy portfolio. A news release from Krekorian's office said the city will report back to the City Council in 90 days to report on a timeline for the collaborative work.

The motion says that even though the Department of Water and Power will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by eliminating coal, the utility's reliance on natural gas means that it will still produce more than 7 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. That is the same as having 1.5 million cars on the road each year, the motion states.

Bonin and Krekorian say the department has an opportunity to retool its 100-year-old system to become the nation's largest city to boast a 100 percent renewable portfolio.

"(T)he city has an opportunity to recreate its utility in a way that recognizes the potential for a fossil-free future, demonstrates global leadership in its commitment to clean energy, and protects ratepayers from the increasing costs of carbon-based fuels," the two-page motion states.

Krekorian called the move an "enormous step forward."

"For the third year running, Los Angeles was ranked as the most polluted city in the country, which is unacceptable and unhealthy for our families and neighborhoods," Krekorian said. "Today's vote puts Los Angeles on a path to 100 percent clean energy, which will reduce greenhouse emissions, cut pollution and lead the city toward greater energy efficiency."

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