Elected Officials Call on Los Angeles to Achieve 20 Percent Local Solar Power by 2020

Environment California

Los Angeles – City Councilmembers Paul Koretz and Mike Bonin, Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senators Kevin de León and Ted Lieu, and Assemblymembers Bonnie Lowenthal, Jimmy Gomez and Mike Gatto have joined a broad coalition of community groups, environmental organizations, religious congregations and businesses calling for 20 percent local solar power in Los Angeles by 2020. 

One year ago, Mayor Garcetti promised to bring 1,200 MW of local solar power to Los Angeles by 2020, enough to meet 20 percent of the city’s peak summertime electricity demand. Nearly 100 local businesses, religious leaders, community groups and elected officials have since endorsed that goal. 

“Southern California is practically a synonym for sunshine. But here in Los Angeles, we’re still getting less than 2 percent of our power from the sun,” said Emily Kirkland, clean energy associate at Environment California. “Mayor Garcetti showed tremendous vision in calling for 20 percent local solar power by 2020 last January. Now, it’s time for him to make that promise a reality.”  

According to research from Environment California Research & Policy Center, achieving 20 percent local solar power would cut global warming pollution by more than 1 million tons per year, reduce smog-forming pollution by approximately 730,000 pounds a year, and create an estimated 32,000 job-years of employment.

Ron Nichols, General Manager of the Department of Water and Power, resigned last week. Environment California is calling for Mayor Garcetti to appoint a new general manager who will prioritize achieving 20 percent local solar power by 2020. 

“It’s time for Los Angeles to take its place in the sun as a world leader on solar power, and it can only happen with strong leadership from Mayor Garcetti and the next general manager of LADWP,” said Kirkland. 

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Environment California is a statewide, nonprofit, environmental advocacy organization working to protect California’s air, water and open spaces. More information can be found at www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org