Los Angeles, a city once famous for its troubles with smog and air pollution, turned a shade greener last week. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced two major new initiatives designed to help the city become a global leader in the clean tech industry, Solar LA and CleanTechLosAngeles.org.
A press release issued by the Mayor’s office dubbed Solar LA as “the largest solar project undertaken by any single city in the world”. The plan calls for the installation of 1.3 gigawatts of solar power by 2020, enough to meet 10 percent of the city’s total energy needs.
The Mayor hopes that the plan will jumpstart the local clean tech economy, create new green collar jobs, and help the city meet its goal of reducing greenhouse has emissions by 35 percent of 1990 levels by 2030. The city estimates that every 10,000 megawatts of solar energy produced by the plan will generate 200-400 new green jobs.
“It is time that we use our most abundant natural resource to create the electricity and the jobs we need for the future,” Mayor Villaraigosa was quoted as saying. “Today, we are turning up the heat and taking the next step towards becoming a shining example of green growth worldwide.”
Solar LA will use $313 million worth of funding from the State of California to install residential solar panels. A limited number of solar panels will be installed free of charge in selected low-income areas. The city will also offer low interest 10-year loans and rebate programs to help residents cover installation costs. These incentives should spur local demand for solar power solutions.
The new CleanTechLosAngeles.org was also launched last week to help solidify the city’s status as an up and coming leader in the global renewable energy market.
“Our long-term future depends on our ability to capitalize on the growing opportunities of the new green economy, and this site will bring together our partners under one virtual roof,” the Mayor stated in a press release.
Mayor Villaraigosa is just one a growing number of leaders in the U.S. to embrace clean energy as a real solution to our nation’s woes. These leaders understand that we can jumpstart our nation’s economy, create the next generation of high paying jobs, and help stop global warming by investing in renewable energy now.
Sources:
Office of the Mayor, City of Los Angeles, “Mayor Villaraigosa Unveils Largest Solar Power Plan in America”. Press Release, November 24, 2008
Office of the Mayor, City of Los Angeles, “Mayor Villaraigosa Launches Cleantech LA to Spur Development of Green Economy”. Press Release, November 24, 2008
Learn more about the greening of Los Angeles:
The Solar LA Plan
www.CleanTechLosAngeles.org
The Green LA Plan
Sunday, November 30, 2008
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