Los Angeles City Council Backs Planning for 100 Percent Renewable Energy

The Los Angeles City Council took a major step Friday toward making the city run on clean energy alone.

The Council directed the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to develop a plan for going 100 percent renewable, including looking at where, when, and how the city should allocate resources to achieve that goal.

In the motion, Councilmembers Paul Krekorian and Mike Bonin wrote that “the city has an opportunity to re-create 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.” It passed unanimously, 12–0, on Friday. (Three council members were not in attendance.)

Why Climate Law Advocates are Watching These Black and Latino Lawmakers from Southern California

The "wanted" poster with pictures of five state lawmakers appeared in the pages of a Spanish-language newspaper in Southern California last week.

"Would these politicians be willing to confront the petroleum industry and fight for Latino families?" the ad said in support of tougher environmental rules. "Help us make sure these elected politicians stay responsible to the community."

A bill that will remove barriers for renewable natural gas

Assembly Bill 1900, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), a bill which removes barriers to the development of renewable natural gas (RNG) as a fuel in California and will save local rate-payers millions on their utility bills, was signed by Governor Brown today.

In conjunction with AB 2196 (joint authored by Assemblymen Gatto and Wesley Chesbro), AB 1900 will save the millions of Californians who get their power from municipal utilities hundreds-of-millions of dollars by protecting the municipal utilities’ contracts for biomethane.

New California laws clear the way for renewable energy projects

California passed several laws recently which further clear the way for renewable energy projects in the state. 

Senate Bill 618 makes it possible for big solar projects to move forward without disturbing sensitive lands or species.

It provides incentives for solar developers to site projects on impaired farmland - lands that are no longer suitable for agriculture because they're contaminated or non-productive.

CA bill explores renewable energy via traffic

L.A.'s much-loathed, incessant traffic may actually benefit society and the environment should Governor Jerry Brown pass a renewable energy bill by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake). The bill would require the California Energy Commission - the state's primary energy policy and planning agency - to explore generating green electricity from passing cars, trucks and trains.

LA's Transportation Agency adopts another great environmental policy, implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy

The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) adopted a Renewable Energy Policy; they are now officially on a roll adopting strong environmental policies.  Last month they adopted a landmark Green Construction Policy.  Both policies seek to reduce the agency’s environmental impacts, promote green technologies, and help LA grow green.  By continuing to move forward with these policies, Metro is truly representing the interests of Los Angeles residents and helping our great city become a more sustainable community.