Los Angeles Kicks Coal to the Curb

Although, as Ariel Schwartz notes, "L.A. already uses quadruple the amount of renewable energy sources compared to before Villaraigosa took office in 2005," the city sources 39% of its power from two coal-fired plants in Arizona and Utah. With the approval of a plan by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) Board this week, that relationship now has an expiration date: 2025.

"In practical terms, L.A.'s move means that emissions from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will drop 59% below 1990 levels, while citywide emissions will dip 40% below 1990 levels," says Schwartz of the landmark plan. "That’s a bigger reduction than any other major city in the U.S. has been able to achieve."

At her blog for the NRDC, Kristin Eberhard digs into the details of how the city will transition away from coal, and towards cleaner resources.