O’Farrell, Krekorian, Koretz Lead Council in Seeking More State Resources for Local Renewable Energy Efforts
Councilmembers’ Resolution Urges State of California to Increase Funding to Municipal-Owned Utilities, Localities and Jurisdictions for Renewable Energy Infrastructure
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Councilmembers Mitch O’Farrell, Paul Krekorian and Paul Koretz today led the City Council in unanimous approval of a Resolution that encouraged the State of California, currently enjoying a $97 billion budget surplus, to increase funding to municipal-owned utilities, localities and jurisdictions for expanded investments in renewable energy infrastructure.
“Unless we speak up now and collaboratively on all of our priorities, this stunning surplus could be allocated for uses that do nothing to supercharge our efforts at transitioning into a 100% carbon-free future, eliminating single-use plastics, tackling our homelessness and affordable housing crises, or helping catapult Los Angeles into an equitable, accessible, world-class public transit city,” said Councilmember O’Farrell, the chair of the Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River committee. “With this Resolution, we are bringing a strong argument to Sacramento in justifying funding for our environmental priorities here in Los Angeles, and we are clearly communicating what is rightfully demanded by Angelenos.”
“The surplus that Sacramento now has in its State budget is greater than the entire budget was when I left the legislature in 2010,” said Councilmember Krekorian. “One of the wisest investments that Sacramento could make is in assisting municipalities like ours in building a greener future. But we also need to talk to Sacramento about regulatory reform, because having the money is only part of the equation. This city has already made its commitment to generate all of our electricity from clean sources by 2035, but LA100 is dependent on at least ten transmission lines being built by 2035. But right now it takes at least eight years to get transmission lines built in California. We have to shorten that time.”
“Los Angeles has been leading the way for more than a decade toward carbon neutrality, but it takes more than good policy, it takes funding at a level that we can’t hope to provide. The state is awash in cash and they need to use it to help address our climate emergency that starts in our large urban centers,” said Councilmember Paul Koretz. “We especially need to focus on building EV charging infrastructure. The automobile industry is telling us that electric vehicles will reach price parity within a year. Added to that, gas price gouging will increase demand for EVs even more. We are far behind having the EV infrastructure we will need to meet that demand, and that will take funding. “
The Resolution from O’Farrell, Krekorian and Koretz – three of the leading environmentalists on the Los Angeles City Council – affirms the City’s request for additional State funding to assist the City’s transition to 100% renewable energy, including resources to: decarbonize and electrify public buildings; adopt a full fleet of electric vehicles (EVs), as well as the deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure; fund on-site net-energy-metering at public buildings and facilities; and fund public education efforts to reduce energy and water use and increase emergency preparedness.
Governor Newsom’s revised State budget draft, released on May 13th, proposes approximately $47.1 billion in climate investments, including $10 billion in EV infrastructure investments and over $3 billion in building decarbonization funds for school, residential and government buildings. The Governor’s budget must be adopted by the California Legislature no later than June 15th. The State currently reports a $97 billion surplus.
The City of Los Angeles, through its “LA100” plan to achieve 100% carbon-free energy in the City by 2035, is a statewide, national, and international leader in confronting the climate crisis head on through investments in renewable energy infrastructure. In the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1st, the City will invest over $110 million in solar photovoltaic and decarbonization infrastructure, the largest-ever single investment in electrification and solarization of city parks, libraries, fire stations, including at the Los Angeles Zoo, where a future project will generate at least 3 megawatts of solar generated energy.
“We have the comprehensive plan, and are already on the path – something no other city in the state has yet done to the degree we have,” O’Farrell added. “In showing good faith and the stated direction Los Angeles has chosen, we have a strong argument in requesting funding from this $97.5 billion surplus.”
