Los Angeles Takes Major Step Toward 100% #CleanEnergy

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a measure authored by Councilman Mike Bonin and Councilman Paul Krekorian that instructs the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to study an equitable transition away from fossil fuels to powering Los Angeles with 100% clean energy.

With this vote, LADWP will now convene a collaborative working group of experts to identify the investments and priorities that would be needed in order to run the city entirely and equitably on renewable energy.  LADWP will have 90 days to deliver a timeline for the study.

Seventeen American cities have already committed to achieving 100% clean energy, including Salt Lake City, Boulder, San Diego and San Francisco. Internationally, cities including Paris, Sydney, and Vancouver, have established 100% clean energy targets of their own. In August, the City of Denver similarly announced that it would undertake a study identifying pathways to 100% clean energy as part of the city’s greenhouse gas goals. With approval of this study, Los Angeles is now the largest city in America to commit to exploring how to power the city on entirely clean energy.

Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club, issued the following statement:

“We’re thrilled that Los Angeles is taking the next big step towards re-powering local communities and empowering all Angelenos with 100% clean energy. Cities across the country are already making this bold commitment, and with today’s historic vote, Los Angeles is on its way to cutting ties with fossil fuels and powering all homes, businesses and schools with innovative clean energy solutions.”

Councilmember Mike Bonin issued the following statement:

“Much of the gorgeous coastline of the district I represent will literally be underwater within decades if we do not take dramatic action to stop using harmful and climate-polluting fossil fuels. Los Angeles can lead the way and show cities around the country – and around the world – that clean energy is here and ready to power thriving economies. This legislation will make sure that our transition to 100% clean energy happens as quickly and as strategically as possible and serves as a road map for other cities that want to join the clean energy future.”

Councilmember Paul Krekorian issued the following statement:

“This is an enormous step forward that will help preserve our environment and lead us to a more sustainable future. 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. To reverse this trend we need big thinking and bold, smart action. Our legislation provides a pathway to 100 percent clean energy in Los Angeles, which will reduce greenhouse emissions, cut pollution and lead the city toward greater energy efficiency.”

Jessica Goodheart, Director of the RePower LA project at LA Alliance for a New Economy, issued the following statement:

“Los Angeles must continue to be a leader in the move toward renewable energy. How we get there is equally important. We need to ensure that all residents receive the benefits of clean energy, and that clean energy investments lead to the kinds of jobs that can support families. IBEW Local 18 and LADWP’s Utility Pre-Craft Training program is a great model for how to link clean energy investment to career pathways for LA residents and something I hope we can build on.”

Jonathan Port, President and CEO of PermaCity, issued the following statement:

“Moving Los Angeles to 100 percent renewables is saving lives in many ways: (1) provides generations with an opportunity to survive global warming by easing the whiplash of excessive greenhouse gas and (2) PermaCity has put an army of young veterans to work on our FiT50 jobs deploying our invented and made-in-Los Angeles technology.  It’s exciting to see the optimism of this early movement into solar self powering Los Angeles and more exciting to know the hope and influence our success will share with the World.”

Michelle Kinman, Clean Energy Advocate with Environment California, issued the following statement:

“Burning dirty fossil fuels is not only polluting our air, water and land, it’s changing our climate even faster than scientists predicted. By setting a course for 100% renewable energy, Los Angeles is taking a critical step that will benefit our communities, our environment and our economy. Today’s decision sends a strong signal to cities everywhere that it’s no longer a question of whether we’ll get to 100% renewable power, but how fast?”

Bahram Fazeli, Policy Director for Communities for a Better Environment, issued the following statement:

“Ending our reliance on fossil fuels to generate electricity with equity and just transition considerations at the center will spur innovation and economic growth while protecting our health. We applaud the City Council for unanimously supporting this important and visionary motion.”

Loraine Lundquist, Ph.D., Institute for Sustainability, Calif. State Univ. Northridge, issued the following statement:

“It’s time to kick our dirty, outdated fossil fuels to the curb in favor of the clean, equitable energy systems of the future. This motion will enable LA to join its neighbors like San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose, who have already committed to 100% clean energy. Solving the unique challenges presented by LA’s grid will pave the way for integration of renewables throughout the country, helping us save our money, our health, and our climate.”

Martha Dina Argüello, Executive Director at Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles, issued the following statement:

“Transitioning away from fossil fuels including natural gas is a public health imperative.   Emissions  related to the fossil fuel lifecycle are harmful to human and planetary health.  Our transition to a healthy and just energy systems is long overdue.”

Susana Coracero, Senior Program Manager at CDTech, issued the following statement:

“CDTEch is supportive of 100% clean and renewable energy because it creates healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. We believe there is a critical balance between community health, civic engagement and economics. And, we support pathways to green industry jobs specifically to disadvantaged communities like South Los Angeles.”

Mary Leslie, President of the Los Angeles Business Council, issued the following statement:

“The LABC is proud to support the City Council’s motion to develop a research partnership to determine how to best reach a 100% renewable energy portfolio for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. We applaud the City’s continued leadership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop the clean tech economy of the 21st Century. This research partnership will ensure that a 100% renewable energy future will be good for both our environment and our businesses, by determining the proper investments that should be made to reduce our carbon footprint and create good-paying jobs.”

Alexandra Nagy, Senior Organizer at Food & Water Watch, issued the following statement:

“Los Angeles is poised to become a national and global leader on clean energy. With the largest public utility in the country, LADWP can set an example for the nation and the world with our goal set at 100% clean, renewable energy. Thanks to leadership at the City Council and by the Mayor, we are greatly encouraged by the study of 100% renewable energy for Los Angeles. This is a major step toward a commitment to 100% renewables that gives our city the bright future it deserves. As we’ve seen with the recent gas blowout at SoCalGas’ Aliso Canyon storage facility near Porter Ranch that displaced 15,000 Angelenos, our communities and economies are at risk as long as we are powered by fossil fuels.”

Stephanie Aguilar, high school student and clean energy activist, issued the following statement:

“This study makes me proud to be an Angeleno because it shows that my city is getting serious about tackling climate change and air pollution. I can’t wait for my city to be run on entirely clean energy for the sake of our health and the planet, and because I want more green tech career opportunities that people in my generation will excel in.”

Background:

Los Angeles has made remarkable strides to clean up the electricity powering our homes, schools and businesses. In just the past six years, the city has committed to phasing out coal-fired power, developed the largest energy efficiency program in California, and expanded rooftop solar offerings for homeowners, renters, and businesses. LADWP is also embracing equity as a core part of the transition to clean energy: programs like the utility pre-craft trainee program create clean energy career pipelines from disadvantaged communities into the local union, and the utility will soon launch a community solar pilot designed to help low-income Angelenos share in the benefits of rooftop solar.