Key Council Committee Reviews Progress on L.A.’s Transition to 100% Renewable, Carbon-Free Energy
Los Angeles is on track to achieve its “LA100” goal of a 100% renewable, carbon-free future by 2035
LOS ANGELES – The Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River (ECCEJR) committee of the Los Angeles City Council today heard a biannual progress report detailing the City’s progress toward its goal of powering the City with 100% renewable, carbon-free energy by 2035.
“With the megadrought and intense heat affecting Los Angeles, and other emergencies unfolding across the globe, it’s clear that the climate crisis is already here. While that situation is sobering, we received some great news today: Los Angeles is on track to achieve 100% renewable, carbon-free energy within our ambitious timeline,” said Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, ECCEJR chair. “Being on track doesn’t mean this work is easy; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. But I want every Angeleno to know that we are aggressively, ambitiously, and successfully moving full speed ahead in fighting the climate crisis and achieving a 100% carbon-free future in Los Angeles.”
When the City Council in 2021 adopted the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) “LA100” goal and direction to create a Strategic Long Term Resource Plan, O’Farrell directed LADWP to provide progress reports every six months to ensure transparency and allow the Council, as well as everyday Angelenos, the opportunity to ensure the City remains on track to achieve its renewable, carbon-free energy goals.
LADWP today reported that Los Angeles remains on track to reach 100% carbon-free energy by 2035, the most ambitious plan of any city in the nation, and is projected to reach 55% by 2025, and 80% by 2030. The City is expected to double its energy efficiency by 2030, with over 1500 megawatts of solar energy generated by that year.
The discussion in committee was robust and focused on the urgent climate crisis. LADWP staff updated committee members on essential components necessary for the growth of renewable, carbon-free energy, such as transmission and distribution investments over the next decade, which will be key in the achievement of 100% renewable, carbon-free energy by 2035. Notably, the committee also received important information on apartment retrofit programs that, as part of a larger rebate and incentive portfolio, are playing a key component in the electrification of residential properties.
O’Farrell directed that LADWP provide its next progress report in approximately six months, including: a visualization of data, covering each day of the year, that will clearly communicate to the public the City’s renewable energy mix (renewable portfolio standards, or RPS) in an interactive manner available via computer or smartphone; as well as a discussion on how to collaborate with environmental advocacy and environmental justice partners, including non-profits and labor unions, and that comments and suggestions from these organizations be included in the next progress report.
“LA100” was developed in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and is expected to create more than 9500 new, clean energy jobs. O’Farrell has led the Council in ensuring that the jobs will be created as part of a just transition for current and new workers, so that the elimination of fossil fuels uplifts as many residents as possible and does not leave certain communities behind. Notably, the LADWP progress report highlights issues with staffing, hiring and contracting, which is why O’Farrell has also directed LADWP to develop a Workforce Hiring Plan to ensure workers can be hired as quickly, efficiently, and equitably as possible throughout the City of Los Angeles and its neighborhoods.
