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For the City of LA’s COVID-19 response, visit corona-virus.la
For LADWP’s COVID-19 response, visit www.ladwp.com/covid19response

Statement on EPA’s Proposal to Limit Carbon Pollution from Power Plants

Statement on EPA’s Proposal to Limit
Carbon Pollution from Power Plants

By Marcie Edwards, LADWP General Manager
“The residents and business of Los Angeles have long understood the impacts of air pollution to the environment and community, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has demonstrated leadership in transforming its power plants to lower emissions of all kinds. LADWP’s commitment is to move off of coal ahead of the State of California’s mandate, and our renewable energy and efficiency programs continue to grow in ways that improve air quality and public health while helping grow a clean tech economy in Los Angeles.

Therefore, as the nation’s largest municipal utility, LADWP heartily applauds the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in establishing a nationwide program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants.

LADWP looks forward to working with EPA and our fellow utilities in crafting the final language that will maintain the reliability of the electric grid, mitigate rate impacts, and transform the way we produce electricity toward a cleaner energy future.”

Climate Change Accomplishments

LADWP is taking unprecedented action to transform its electric utility system and address the risk of climate change.  These efforts include making substantial investments in the following areas that are resulting in significant GHG emissions reductions:  replacement of coal resources, increased use of renewable energy, modernizing power plants in the South Coast Air Basin and implementing ambitious energy efficiency programs.  Over the past decade, LADWP’s efforts have resulted in a downward trajectory in its power generation portfolio CO2 emissions and CO2 emissions intensity since 2000.

  • Between 1990 and 2012, LADWP’s CO2 emissions have been reduced by 22% while meeting a 10% increase in electricity demand.
  • As LADWP continues to divest of coal power, CO2 emissions are projected to decrease to 36% percent below 1990 levels by 2016, 40% by 2020, and 59% by 2025.
  • LADWP is investing in replacing existing coal generation, resulting in a reduction of 3.4 MMT of GHG emissions each year.
  • LADWP is committed to divesting of the Navajo coal plant by end of 2015.
  • LADWP has doubled its investments in energy efficiency with the goal of reducing electricity use by at least 10% by 2020.