Los Angeles Rejects Hoover Dam from City RPS

by Bernadette Del Chiaro The Los Angeles City Council passed today language restricting electricity generated by Hoover Dam from inclusion in thecity's recently adopted 20% by 2017 Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) thereby joining the rest of the state in adopting the nation's strongest clean energy goal. The vote requires the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) to increase investments, by up to 1,000 additional MW, from technologies such as solar, wind, and geothermal power over the next thirteen years, while limiting eligible hydroelectric facilities to small-sized plants. Today's vote comes two years after the California Legislature passed a law requiring all investor-owned utilities to meet a 20% by 2017 clean energy goal while requiring all publicly-owned utilities to adopt their own policies. Because Los Angeles is the largest publicly-owned utility in the country generating as much if not more power than 19 states, a coalition of environmental groups has been advocating that Los Angeles join the state in developing the region's renewable energy resources. According to Environment California, over the past two years, more than 20,000 Los Angeles residents have voiced their support for a strong clean energy standard in Los Angeles. "Today's vote ultimately means more renewable […]

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