Contact: Sierra Club Cheers L.A. Coal-Free Commitment
Bill Corcoran, Senior Regional Representative, 213-387-6528 x208(o) 310-490-3419 (c)
Virginia Cramer, 804-225-9113 x 102
Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today that the city would eliminate the use of coal by 2020. L.A. will replace the 40% of its power currently generated by coal with renewable energy. Under the plan the city will receive 20% of its energy from renewable sources by next year, and 40% by 2020.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is the nation’s largest municipal utility with over one million customers.
"We applaud Mayor Villaraigosa’s bold decision to move Los Angeles beyond coal. The decision to replace coal with cleaner energy alternatives is key to boosting job creation and economic growth," said Bruce Nilles, Director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign.
"Investing wisely, at the city, state and federal levels, is essential in these tough economic times; we must put our money where we will get the most in return. The development and production of renewable energy will lead to job growth and economic improvement without the health and environmental drawbacks of continued investment in dirty coal," continued Nilles.
Bill Corcoran, Senior Regional Representative in Los Angeles added, "Mayor Villaraigosa’s commitment to eliminate coal by 2020 creates an enormous economic development opportunity for the city. Instead of sending millions in ratepayer dollars every year to pay for coal plants in Utah and Arizona, we will invest that money here in Los Angeles and in California. Work making our buildings more efficient can’t be outsourced to China."
"By maximizing energy efficiency and conservation at the same time that the city turns to renewable energy, the city can get off dirty coal while minimizing utility bill increases. The Sierra Club looks forward to working with the utility to identify and adopt the best technologies and financing opportunities to realize the mayor’s vision," said Corcoran.
The coal power currently used by Los Angeles comes almost entirely from two large power plants, the Intermountain Power Project in Utah and the Navajo plant in Arizona. The Navajo plant contributes significant air pollution to Grand Canyon National Park.
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