The Super Bowl Champion (!) Los Angeles Rams weren’t the only ones who charged ahead this week in electrifying fashion.
Over the past few days, we made even more progress in our work to build a Greener Los Angeles.
Here’s what you need to know:
✅ We took a landmark step to end plastic pollution in Los Angeles. In partnership with Council President Martinez, and Councilmembers Krekorian and Koretz,
I led a unanimous vote to phase out single-use plastics at City facilities and City-sponsored events. This action builds on my previous work to
end plastic pollution, including my straws-on-request ordinance and last year’s foodware accessories-on-request ordinance. In doing so, the City is
leading by example and showing how we can achieve
a future free from plastics.
✅ In today’s Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice and LA River Committee, which I chair, we took a series of steps to ensure cleaner, environmentally friendly streets; t
he diversion of organic waste from landfills; and the decarbonization of our public buildings. These items included:
✅ We discussed pathways to comply with new State rules that require cities like Los Angeles to reduce
organic waste disposal by 75 percent by 2025 with a phased approach to compliance with minimal impact to ratepayers. Ultimately, this means that less organic waste will end up in our landfills,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
✅ We also received progress reports from the Department of Water and Power on the City’s participation in the Light Up Navajo Program - a
mutual aid program with the Navajo Nation, which allowed for harsh weather and terrain training conditions for LADWP workers, while bringing electrical infrastructure to all corners of the Navajo Nation.
✅ We also received an update about the LA 100 Plan - our historic effort that will achieve 100% renewable energy in Los Angeles by 2035. This included a “
report card” on our progress, as well as a detailed summary of the challenges and opportunities that result from making this transition.
✅ The committee received an in-depth update regarding our coordinated effort to electrify and solarize more than 800 City properties and facilities. Soon, our parks and libraries, in addition to other major public amenities like the Los Angeles Zoo will generate and store clean, renewable solar power.
Distributed energy and microgrids are the future of Los Angeles!
✅ And, finally, in another win for cleaner air,
I joined City and Federal leaders to launch the City’s
first Green Innovation Center in North Hollywood. In addition to developing and testing zero and near-zero emission equipment for StreetsLA, the center will also house the nation’s first street sweepers powered by compressed natural gas and battery-electric power. Known affectionately as Angus and Malcolm (the brother-duo behind AC/DC), these vehicles represent the latest generation of City vehicles that will be powered by renewable energy,
reducing pollution and contributing to cleaner, healthier air in our City.
As a City of Champions, we’re raising the bar and leading the way towards a greener future.
We can do this, Los Angeles. We are doing it. Let’s keep charging forward.
