LA's New 'Green Power' Program Will Save Customer's Money
SACRAMENTO, CA — May 13, 1999 — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) launched a "Green Power for a Green LA" Program today, integrating hi-tech energy efficiency devices and techniques with "green" power purchases — the end result being that residents' bills won't go up, and might even go down.
"LADWP, the largest municipal utility in the nation, is demonstrating impressive leadership in offering its customers an opportunity to support a clean, sustainable energy future," said V. John White, executive director of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT). "They're leveraging the utility's close relationship with the surrounding community to address environmental, economic development and social equity issues all at the same time."
LADWP's current mix is the dirtiest in the state, with 60 percent of its electricity generated by coal power plants in other states, and releasing 75 percent more carbon dioxide (CO2) that electricity sold through investor-owned utilities. Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels, releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide when burned.
"Having the power to choose where one's energy comes from empowers customers," said LADWP general manager David Freeman. "All of Los Angeles will reap the benefits of cleaner air, reliable power, economic development and civic pride. Other municipal utilities can learn from this, and show how the public power sector can meet the environmental and economic goals of consumers as we enter the new millennium."
The prime components of the new Green Power for a Green LA Program include:
- LADWP customers will be asked to purchase 100 percent renewable energy, with at least 20 percent of the green power coming from renewable resources. The new green power will carry a price premium of about $3 a month for every $50 of a residential customer's energy bill. Existing green power (small hydropower) will be offered to all customers until new green resources (a mix of solar, wind, biomass and new hydro) are installed and operational.
- All LADWP green power customers will receive energy efficiency benefits, reducing the amount of electricity they need and offsetting the cost of green power. At the 20 percent level of green power, for example, the $2-$5 increase in power costs will be offset by using energy efficient light bulbs.
- LADWP customers will be offered other options designed to lower energy use and bills, such as installation of energy efficient refrigerators and high efficiency air conditioning or heating equipment — all of which will be eligible for rebates that could cover up to 25 percent of total purchase price.
CEERT Contact: Lori Jablonski (916) 442-7785, www.cleanpower.org
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