The City Council in Los Angeles has approved one of largest purchases of renewable energy power in the United States…
LOS ANGELES, California – City Council in Los Angeles has approved one of largest purchases of renewable energy power in the United States. Ten 10 percent of electricity for the municipal government will be allocated to new renewable energy sources, in a purchase that will amount to 50 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year. With previous commitments from LA World Airports and the city’s Water System, the total city government purchase will be more than 70 million kWh of new green energy. City government consumes 500 million kWh of electricity annually.
“The beauty of green power is its ability to use naturally occurring renewable sources for energy production,” says councillor Ruth Galanter. “We are very proud that Los Angeles will lead the state in energy conservation and while doing so will free ourselves from dependence on fossil fuels.” “The City is taking on a national leadership role through this purchase,” adds Angelina Galiteva of Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. “Like other Green Power for Green LA customers, aggressive efforts to implement energy efficiency measures will offset some of the costs associated with purchasing new green power.” “This purchase, like others in the Green Power Program, is for new green resources which will help fund development and construction of new green power facilities,” she explains.
The purchase will start in July. Since LADWP’s Green Power for a Green LA Program began in May 1999, 75,000 customers have signed up. The Program is the largest of its type in the U.S. Residential customers can receive 20 percent of their electricity from new green energy facilities, and DWP will provide energy efficiency products and services to lower usage. The average residential customer signing up for green power will pay $3 more per month, about 6 percent, which can be largely offset by lower energy use. Commercial and industrial customers can sign up for as little as $30 per month, up to 100 percent of their purchase of electricity for green power.
Residents outside the LADWP service area can purchase Green Power Certificates. Funds from the sale of the certificates are used to purchase new green power for Los Angeles. The Green Power Program is part of the LADWP’s Green LA Program that includes Solar Photovoltaics, Energy Efficiency, Cool Schools Tree Planting, Electric Transportation, New Technologies and Recycling.
