Believe it or not, Los Angeles is working hard to implement renewable energy measures that will create a more sustainable city and help us to meet or exceed the state of California's goal of using 20% of renewable energy by 2010 and 33% by 2020. Both of these time frams are now law in California. The best part about this law is that it far exceeds federal law which requires the whole country to acquire 15% of its energy by way of renewable resources by 2020. California in general has laways been at the forefront of the green movement. California and the city of Los Angeles plan to develop renewable energy by utilizing:
Wind energy
Wind turbines (windmills) use strong, steady wind to create electricity. Wind power emits no pollution and has very little impact on the land. Wind energy can be produced anywhere the wind blows with consistent force. You can learn more about the benefits of wind power by checking out the Wind Power News.
Hydropower
Dams provide electricity by channeling water down a chute and over a turbine linked to a generator. Hydropower is considered renewable as long as it has no adverse impact on water quality and on the wildlife habitat.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is generated by converting hot water or steam from deep beneath the Earth's surface into electricity. Geothermal plants emit very little air pollution and have minimal impact on the environment.
Biomass energy
Organic matter, called biomass, is burned in an incinerator to produce energy. Biomass can also be converted into a combustible gas, allowing for greater efficiency and cleaner performance
Solar Power
Solar cells, which are made of silicon, convert the sun’s energy into DC, or direct current, electricity. The DC current is converted into AC, alternating current, providing a clean form of energy to power homes and businesses.
Here is a video that explains the different types of renewable energy:
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has proposed two renewable energy systems that will greatly increase the capacity for usage of renewable energy in Los Angeles.
Green Path North Project:
is a proposed new electrical transmission system being developed by the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Imperial Irrigation District, Citizens Energy, and the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA).The purpose is to facilitate delivery of green energy, such as geothermal and solar that stem from sustainable resources and emit no or low levels of greenhouse gases, from Imperial County(Salton Sea area) to the City of Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California. There is a map of this project here. According to the document, these green power lines will significantly reduce greenhosue gases and carbon emissions.
The Barren Ridge Renewable Transmission Project (BRRTP)
Formerly called Barren Ridge-Castaic, is a proposed new and expanded 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line system that will be built and operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to convey renewable energy from the
Tehachapi Mountains and Mojave Desert areas to Los Angeles. The Tehachapi Mountains and Mojave Desert areas are home to high-quality wind, solar and other renewable energy resources.
Here is a Map of the proposed transmission lines
Click here to see a Video on the project
You can view Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's Renewable Portfolio Standard here
The Los Angeles Department of Water and power also has several green programs for Los Angeles consumers to take advantage of:
Trees for a Green LA
Residents of the city of Los Angeles can receive free trees for planting. Residents sign up for a hands on workshop which teaches them how to plan where to place them on your property, how to plant them, care and nurturing,etc. Once this workshop is completed, the city will deliver the trees to you. These trees provide cool natural shade, energy efficency, and clean air. The city has a city tree guide you can download for more information.
You can also contact the city for more information and to answer questions here:
1-800-GreenLA (800-473-3652) and select Trees for a Green LA or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Green Power for a Green LA Program/Solar Credits/Cash Rebates/Buyback Program
Residents and businesses can now buy Green Power from renewable resources in the city of Los Angeles. While the power is a bit more expensive,(3 cents more per kilowatt) the fact that it causes less of a carbon footprint and comes from eco-freiendly power sources is something worth considering. Customers must purchase a minimum of 20% but can elect to purchase as much as 100% of the renewable energy. Even though the power is a little more expensive, these higher charges can be offset by using other programs currently in existence such as cash rebates for implementing energy efficent products and the buyback program for inefficent products offered by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and by taking advantage of the city's solar credits program by installing Photovoltaic roof systems that actually generate electricity which can then be sold back to the city in the form of credits. Some cities within Los Angeles have other incentives that may vary from LADWP.
Education
The city of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power offers education about renewable energy, recycling and being more eco friendly.
To get an idea of how the state of California is progessing in its transformation to the use of green power, check out the California Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS)
Established in 2002 under Senate Bill 1078 and accelerated in 2006 under Senate Bill 107, California's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) is one of the most ambitious renewable energy standards in the country. The RPS program requires electric corporations to increase procurement from eligible renewable energy resources by at least 1% of their retail sales annually, until they reach 20% by 2010.
