Lynwood Becomes the First Southeast LA City to Join the Clean Power Alliance

The decision by the City Council to join marks a serious commitment to lessening the city’s carbon footprint

At its most recent meeting, the Lynwood City Council voted to join the Clean Power Alliance (CPA), becoming the first Southeast LA (SELA) City to do so. Last week, the CPA Board of Directors voted unanimously to formally incorporate the City of Lynwood alongside La Cañada Flintridge and Port Hueneme in the Joint Powers Authority (JPA). With these two votes, Lynwood will join the 32 cities that currently have the CPA as its electricity provider. CPA provides clean energy from renewable sources, provides communities with choice and local control, and tools for climate action and resilience.

Council Member Juan Munoz-Guevara originally brought this item forward in January and worked throughout the year with city staff to move this item. In November, the City Council voted 3-2 on Council Member Muñoz-Guevara’s motion to join, with then Mayor Oscar Flores and Mayor Pro Tem Soto in support. After an impasse, the Council voted 4-0-1 in the final vote to join, with only Councilmember Camacho abstaining. The Council heard testimony in support of the item from local residents, the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, and East Yards Communities for Environmental Justice.

The city joining CPA marks a serious commitment to lessening Lynwood’s greenhouse gas emissions. In just one year of service, at the 50% renewable energy product (known as Clean Power), Lynwood would avoid 24,100,100 lbs. of CO₂, which is equal to 2,400 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles taken off the road or 180,300 tree seedlings planted and grown for 10 years. These figures are especially important for Lynwood given that the State of CA has identified Lynwood as disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution, placing the city in the CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Top 25% category. The I-710/ I-105 freeways and the Alameda Corridor surround Lynwood and the city has a sizable presence of heavy industry.

“Lynwood joining the Clean Power Alliance is a significant decision and ensures that our city is addressing the climate crisis locally. It will not only make a serious dent in lessening our city’s carbon footprint but also give our residents a choice in electricity providers. I am incredibly proud of Lynwood for joining and leading on the environment in our region, and I hope other SELA cities will follow,” said Council Member Muñoz-Guevara.

The CPA will commence service to Lynwood in 2026. In the interim, the CPA will conduct outreach campaigns and informational sessions to inform residents about the new choice for electricity that they will now have.