Mayor Villaraigosa Celebrates a Milestone: 20% of Power from Renewable Energy

"When I became Mayor, I set a goal to generate 20% of the City's power from renewable energy sources by 2010 and I am proud to say that we have achieved that goal" Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Los Angeles' use of clean, renewable energy has increased from 5% in 2005 to now 20%.  This amounts of 4,500 gigawatt-hours, which is equivalent to removing 750,000 homes from the power grid, or 490,000 fewer cars on the road. 

"This is a historic and substantial accomplishment for the Department of Water and Power and the City of Los Angeles," said Austin Beutner, LADWP General Manager. "We need to continue to reduce the impact of DWP operations on the environment and do it in an economically sustainable manner."

In 2009, the LADWP began the Pine Tree Wind Power Plant in the Tehachapi Mountains, the nation's largest wind farm owned by a municipal utility.  In 2010, wind power constituted nearly 50% of all LADWP's renewable energy.  Hydro-electric came in at 30%, geothermal/biofueld, 22% and solar, 1%. 

This milestone is a step towards leading the nation in renewable energy resources.  LADWP has already reduced its emissions by 22% from 1990 levels through expanding renewable energy, clean power plants and promoting energy efficiency.