Los Angeles Commits to 100 Percent Clean Energy to Power All Electricity, Buildings, and Transportation

LOS ANGELES, CA -- On Monday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti unveiled the updated “Sustainable City pLAn,” an ambitious roadmap establishing climate goals that will guide the city’s equitable environmental and economic future. The plan includes a commitment to power all of the city’s energy sectors -- its electricity, buildings, and transportation -- with carbon-free sources of energy by 2050.

In February, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the country’s largest municipal utility, canceled plans to rebuild three gas plants in favor of investing in new renewable and battery storage resources. With the plan outlined this week, L.A. continues to step out as a national clean energy leader by building a healthier, more inclusive, and resilient city free of fossil fuels.

With four million residents, L.A. is now the largest city in the country to aim for 100 percent renewable electricity -- a record previously held by Chicago, which adopted its commitment earlier this month. L.A. is the 121st U.S. city to set a 100 percent renewable goal, joining cities like San Diego, Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta, and St. Louis. California has already passed legislation to transition to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2045. L.A. has pledged to meet the state’s goal, while setting even more aggressive interim milestones across the community.

The Sustainable City pLAn sets goals for:

• LADWP to supply 55 percent renewable electricity by 2025; 80 percent by 2036; and 100 percent by 2045;

• Cutting greenhouse gas emissions in buildings by 50 percent by 2025; 100 percent by 2050;

• Increasing the percentage of zero emission vehicles in the city to 25 percent by 2025; 80 percent by 2035; and 100 percent by 2050; and electrifying all buses by 2030;

• Creates 300,000 green jobs by 2035 and 400,000 by 2050;

• Establishes targets to alleviate pollution and cost burdens on disadvantaged communities;

• Plans for robust community outreach, reaching 2 million Angelenos through outreach, education, and training programs by 2025  

In response, Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, issued the following:

“Cities and states know the effects of climate change firsthand -- but this announcement is further proof that they are also at the vanguard of taking bold and necessary action. Los Angeles’ plan is a testament to the progress that’s possible when communities step up and demand climate solutions. Despite its history of pollution, the city has installed the most solar of any city in the country -- and now it’s aiming for 100 percent renewable energy across the community. In a city known for gridlock, tailpipe pollution and smog, the commitment to electrifying buildings and transportation is a big deal.

Last year, California showed its clean energy leadership by setting a statewide goal of 100 percent clean energy. Now, up and down the Golden State, communities from San Francisco to Los Angeles to San Diego are demonstrating how these goals spur action, and how everyone can benefit from clean energy policies that are created with and for the community. We applaud Mayor Garcetti for his climate leadership and we look forward to partnering with the city to implement this vision.”