Lindsay McCormick, Project Manager and Tom Neltner, J.D., Chemicals Policy Director [Updated April 2018 and June 2018] .  See here for the most up-to-date information on state testing requirements. Children under the age of 6 are most vulnerable to the detrimental impacts of lead exposure. Even at low levels, lead exposure can harm the brain development of young children – resulting in […]

The post Protecting the most vulnerable: Lead in drinking water testing requirements for child care facilities first appeared on EDF Health.

By Tom Neltner

Lindsay McCormick, Project Manager and Tom Neltner, J.D., Chemicals Policy Director

Children under the age of 6 are most vulnerable to the detrimental impacts of lead exposure. Even at low levels, lead exposure can harm the brain development of young children – resulting in learning and behavioral problems for the rest of their lives.

The recent national attention on lead in drinking water and reports of high levels in certain schools has spurred action to address the problem in schools. As a result of state-level requirements and voluntary state programs, many schools across the country are testing their drinking water for lead and taking actions to fix problems.

In contrast, child care centers (also called day care centers or early childhood education centers) have gone relatively unnoticed – even though they serve children at their most vulnerable ages.

We decided to take a closer look at the issue by examining state child care licensing regulations, recent legislative actions, and voluntary programs addressing drinking water testing at child care centers. Through our research, we identified several states that have or are developing proactive programs to test for lead in child care centers’ drinking water and take action when high levels are found. Although our focus was on states, we also identified cities addressing this issue with local resources.

We identified five states – Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington – and one city – New York City – that require licensed child care centers to test their drinking water for lead. Descriptions of each of the regulations are detailed in the table below.

We also identified voluntary programs in Oregon and Cincinnati, Ohio that assist child care centers with testing for lead in drinking water and remediation actions.

Click here for more information on each requirement, including the types of facilities covered, frequency of testing, and information about select voluntary programs.

The requirements vary widely in terms of testing protocol, standard, corrective action, and notification to parents and staff. Several of these differences deserve attention.

Each of the requirements takes a different approach to the standard used for testing – the lead level at which corrective action and/or notification is required. New Jersey and New York City use 15 ppb, Washington uses the U.S. EPA Lead Action Level (90th percentile above 15 ppb), Rhode Island requires that the water source is either lead-safe or lead-free, and Connecticut does not specify a standard. The voluntary programs in Oregon and Cincinnati recommend following EPA’s 3Ts guidelines that advises child care centers to take action at levels greater than 20 ppb.

None of these standards are based on the health risk to children. In an earlier blog, we provide an assessment of a health-based benchmark for lead in drinking water. We derived our assessment from a recent EPA scientific analysis and suggest levels that would be more protective than EPA’s current guidelines.

Communicating with parents and staff is a significant part of any testing program for lead in child care centers, and EDF favors a transparent approach to testing. Not all of the regulations require notification of parents and staff about testing results. Washington and New Jersey require notification of parents if the center finds elevated levels of lead, and New Jersey also requires posting the results inside the facility. New York City goes even further and makes all results available in an online database (Child Care Connect) that allows parents to search records for any licensed child care program in the city.

In addition, the types of facilities covered by the requirement varies significantly. We provide those details here. In general, the requirements do not apply to unlicensed facilities, which often includes small family child care facilities based in a caregiver’s home.

 

With the renewed attention on lead in drinking water, we are encouraged to see states and cities beginning to take action. And the landscape is rapidly changing: 10 states and the District of Columbia are currently considering requirements that would require lead in drinking water testing and correction in child care centers. We encourage other states to adopt requirements to better protect children from lead exposure in child care centers.

Lindsay McCormick, Project Manager and Tom Neltner, J.D., Chemicals Policy Director [Updated December 2017 to reflect new rulemaking from Oregon’s Department of Education] Children under the age of 6 are most vulnerable to the detrimental impacts of lead exposure. Even at low levels, lead exposure can harm the brain development of young children – resulting in learning and behavioral […]

We can't trust a chemical industry hired gun to put our health first. C4.

We can't trust a chemical industry hired gun to put our health first. C4.

We can't trust a chemical industry hired gun to put our health first. C4.

With the recent unanimous passage of the 2017 Coastal Master Plan, the State of Louisiana is working hard to advance priority restoration projects, including numerous sediment diversions. These project types have been called a “cornerstone” of our efforts to restore and protect Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. As such, it’s important to understand the valuable resource they help capture and deliver to our wetlands: sediment. This is a fancy word for the sands, silts, clays and muds that flow through the Mississippi ...

Read The Full Story

The post Let’s Get Muddy: How A Mixture of Mud and Sand Can Help Revive Louisiana’s Wetlands appeared first on Restore the Mississippi River Delta.

With the recent unanimous passage of the 2017 Coastal Master Plan, the State of Louisiana is working hard to advance priority restoration projects, including numerous sediment diversions. These project types have been called a “cornerstone” of our efforts to restore and protect Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. As such, it’s important to understand the valuable resource they help capture and deliver to our wetlands: sediment. This is a fancy word for the sands, silts, clays and muds that flow through the Mississippi ...

Read The Full Story

The post Let’s Get Muddy: How A Mixture of Mud and Sand Can Help Revive Louisiana’s Wetlands appeared first on Restore the Mississippi River Delta.

With the recent unanimous passage of the 2017 Coastal Master Plan, the State of Louisiana is working hard to advance priority restoration projects, including numerous sediment diversions. These project types have been called a “cornerstone” of our efforts to restore and protect Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. As such, it’s important to understand the valuable resource they help capture and deliver to our wetlands: sediment. This is a fancy word for the sands, silts, clays and muds that flow through the Mississippi ...

Read The Full Story

The post Let’s Get Muddy: How A Mixture of Mud and Sand Can Help Revive Louisiana’s Wetlands appeared first on Restore the Mississippi River Delta.

This is the first of a three-part blog series covering corporate sustainability in China. Experts from EDF Climate Corps examine how businesses are shifting the ways they approach energy management in response to increasing climate commitments. This past June, 197 countries reaffirmed their commitments to reduce GHG emissions in an effort to curb global climate […]

By Scott Wood

This is the first of a three-part blog series covering corporate sustainability in China. Experts from EDF Climate Corps examine how businesses are shifting the ways they approach energy management in response to increasing climate commitments.

This past June, 197 countries reaffirmed their commitments to reduce GHG emissions in an effort to curb global climate change. The U.S. was not one of them. This decision, a major backpedal for America, made room for a new frontrunner to take the reins on global climate leadership. And that’s exactly what has happened.

After President Trump backed away, China, the largest GHG emitter and coal consumer, recommitted to forge ahead with the Paris agreement. The nation recognizes climate change as a major challenge faced by all mankind and a threat to national security, which is why Beijing has deemed the Paris agreement its “highest political commitment”. China’s participation in any international agreement on climate is not only critical, it’s an opportunity to dominate the clean energy sector and inspire others to take action.

Manager, EDF Climate Corps

Here are three ways China is positioning itself to meet its targets (America, take note):

1. Enforce goals at every policy level.

China has set aggressive targets aimed at reducing the nation’s greenhouse gases that are supported and enforced by climate policies at the international, national and local level. This alignment allows for greater consistency and cooperation between the private and public sectors, enabling greater efficiency in working towards these common goals.

At the international level, China reaffirmed its promise to meet the commitments (working closely alongside the EU) outlined in the Paris agreement, including peaking CO2 emissions by 2030. Domestically, China has both short-and long-term plans to help ensure their energy goals are met. The Strategic National Energy Plan was completed this past April and China is on track to achieve its energy goals outlined in the 13th Five-year plan.

At the local level, cities have their own carbon-cutting plans. Shenzhen, one of China’s manufacturing hubs, aims to peak the city’s carbon emissions by 2022—eight years ahead of the national target. Companies, too, are ramping up their efforts.  For the past two years, EDF Climate Corps has placed four fellows in IKEA’s Shenzhen offices to help meet these targets by focusing on increasing the sustainability of the company’s supply chain (Stay tuned for more on this kind of corporate engagement in the next post of this series).

2. Invest in clean energy.

China continues to expand its dominance in renewable energy. Recently, they committed to investing $360 billion in clean energy development. According to China’s National Energy Administration, renewable energy already employs 3.5 million people in China (compared with less than a million in the US) and this new investment is expected to create 13 million more jobs in the renewable energy sector by 2020. That’s enormous growth.  

The private sector is tapping into this market as well. Chinese companies already dominate among the most profitable clean energy companies in the world with 35% of the top 200 publicly traded corporations earning significant revenue from renewable energy being Chinese. Simply put, in China, clean energy is viewed as smart business and smart economics.

China takes the lead on climate change action w/ plans to invest $360bil in clean energy…
Click To Tweet

Manager, EDF+Business

3. Use a multi-faceted approach:

China is coming at climate change from all angles. In addition to the policy mechanisms and promotion of clean energy mentioned above, China is securing long-term investment and sustained financing to encourage innovation and the adoption of new technologies. For example, this year China launched five pilot zones to promote “Green Finance”, a vehicle aimed at raising funds for pollution clean-up.

Also this year, President Xi Jinping pledged to launch the world’s largest national carbon market; a decision EDF played an important role in by providing the Chinese government with critical technical support and consultation. The market will hasten the transition to a low-carbon economy and send a message to the world that China is serious about finding solutions. Additionally, this presents an enormous opportunity for the private sector to curb emissions. Companies are incentivized to innovate and reduce their emissions, selling excess allowances and opening up new revenue streams.

The road forward for China

The momentum we’re seeing in China is in sharp contrast to Trump’s America. It’s this strong leadership and creativity that is needed to address GHG emissions within China. And it sets an example for others to follow. Delivering on its many commitments and aspirations won’t be easy, but for China to declare them as necessary is a big step in the right direction–one that has the potential to create massive positive change.

In our next blog post, we’ll take a closer look into how companies are already making and delivering on plans to do their part in helping China achieve its climate commitments.

Follow Scott and Xixi on Twitter, @scottwood_, @Talk2Xixi

Stay on top of the latest facts, information and resources aimed at the intersection of business and the environment. Sign up for the EDF+Business blog. [contact-form-7]

Related Posts

From energy efficiency to clean energy: 10 years of EDF Climate Corps EDF 

Four ways businesses and cities will get us to a low-carbon future

As Trump signals a rollback on environmental regulations, a new jobs report indicates that may not be such a good idea

 

By Scott Wood

This is the first of a three-part blog series covering corporate sustainability in China. Experts from EDF Climate Corps examine how businesses are shifting the ways they approach energy management in response to increasing climate commitments.

This past June, 197 countries reaffirmed their commitments to reduce GHG emissions in an effort to curb global climate change. The U.S. was not one of them. This decision, a major backpedal for America, made room for a new frontrunner to take the reins on global climate leadership. And that’s exactly what has happened.

After President Trump backed away, China, the largest GHG emitter and coal consumer, recommitted to forge ahead with the Paris agreement. The nation recognizes climate change as a major challenge faced by all mankind and a threat to national security, which is why Beijing has deemed the Paris agreement its “highest political commitment”. China’s participation in any international agreement on climate is not only critical, it’s an opportunity to dominate the clean energy sector and inspire others to take action.

Manager, EDF Climate Corps

Here are three ways China is positioning itself to meet its targets (America, take note):

1. Enforce goals at every policy level.

China has set aggressive targets aimed at reducing the nation’s greenhouse gases that are supported and enforced by climate policies at the international, national and local level. This alignment allows for greater consistency and cooperation between the private and public sectors, enabling greater efficiency in working towards these common goals.

At the international level, China reaffirmed its promise to meet the commitments (working closely alongside the EU) outlined in the Paris agreement, including peaking CO2 emissions by 2030. Domestically, China has both short-and long-term plans to help ensure their energy goals are met. The Strategic National Energy Plan was completed this past April and China is on track to achieve its energy goals outlined in the 13th Five-year plan.

At the local level, cities have their own carbon-cutting plans. Shenzhen, one of China’s manufacturing hubs, aims to peak the city’s carbon emissions by 2022—eight years ahead of the national target. Companies, too, are ramping up their efforts.  For the past two years, EDF Climate Corps has placed four fellows in IKEA’s Shenzhen offices to help meet these targets by focusing on increasing the sustainability of the company’s supply chain (Stay tuned for more on this kind of corporate engagement in the next post of this series).

2. Invest in clean energy.

China continues to expand its dominance in renewable energy. Recently, they committed to investing $360 billion in clean energy development. According to China’s National Energy Administration, renewable energy already employs 3.5 million people in China (compared with less than a million in the US) and this new investment is expected to create 13 million more jobs in the renewable energy sector by 2020. That’s enormous growth.  

The private sector is tapping into this market as well. Chinese companies already dominate among the most profitable clean energy companies in the world with 35% of the top 200 publicly traded corporations earning significant revenue from renewable energy being Chinese. Simply put, in China, clean energy is viewed as smart business and smart economics.

China takes the lead on climate change action w/ plans to invest $360bil in clean energy…
Click To Tweet

Manager, EDF+Business

3. Use a multi-faceted approach:

China is coming at climate change from all angles. In addition to the policy mechanisms and promotion of clean energy mentioned above, China is securing long-term investment and sustained financing to encourage innovation and the adoption of new technologies. For example, this year China launched five pilot zones to promote “Green Finance”, a vehicle aimed at raising funds for pollution clean-up.

Also this year, President Xi Jinping pledged to launch the world’s largest national carbon market; a decision EDF played an important role in by providing the Chinese government with critical technical support and consultation. The market will hasten the transition to a low-carbon economy and send a message to the world that China is serious about finding solutions. Additionally, this presents an enormous opportunity for the private sector to curb emissions. Companies are incentivized to innovate and reduce their emissions, selling excess allowances and opening up new revenue streams.

The road forward for China

The momentum we’re seeing in China is in sharp contrast to Trump’s America. It’s this strong leadership and creativity that is needed to address GHG emissions within China. And it sets an example for others to follow. Delivering on its many commitments and aspirations won’t be easy, but for China to declare them as necessary is a big step in the right direction–one that has the potential to create massive positive change.

In our next blog post, we’ll take a closer look into how companies are already making and delivering on plans to do their part in helping China achieve its climate commitments.

Follow Scott and Xixi on Twitter, @scottwood_, @Talk2Xixi

Stay on top of the latest facts, information and resources aimed at the intersection of business and the environment. Sign up for the EDF+Business blog. [contact-form-7]

Related Posts

From energy efficiency to clean energy: 10 years of EDF Climate Corps EDF 

Four ways businesses and cities will get us to a low-carbon future

As Trump signals a rollback on environmental regulations, a new jobs report indicates that may not be such a good idea

 

This is the first of a three-part blog series covering corporate sustainability in China. Experts from EDF Climate Corps examine how businesses are shifting the ways they approach energy management in response to increasing climate commitments. This past June, 197 countries reaffirmed their commitments to reduce GHG emissions in an effort to curb global climate […]

Written by Marcia G. Yerman

PA Rep. Matt Cartwright

This is a Moms Clean Air Force exclusive interview with Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA).

Rep. Cartwright was elected to Congress in 2013. Since that time, he has consistently stepped up to make the environment one of his key issues. For Cartwright, producing safe and clean energy is not mutually exclusive to protecting the country’s health and ecosystem. That point of view – and his – voting record, has snagged him a 97 percent Lifetime score and a 100 percent 2016 score from the League of Conservation voters.

His district in Pennsylvania includes areas from the Pocono Mountains to the Delaware River. Rep. Cartwright understands the issues of both air and water, and the essential part they play in the lives of American families. He was on board for H.R.2059, the BREATHE Act, which “Amends the Clean Air Act to eliminate the exemption for aggregation of emissions from oil and gas sources, and for other purposes.” Cartwright has been vocal in the fight to repeal the Halliburton Loophole, which allows fracking industry polluters to withhold information on the chemicals they use in their drilling.

In July, Rep. Cartwright became part of the bipartisan Climate Solution Caucus, with hopes of working in tandem with his colleagues from across the aisle. I reached out to the Congressman, to find out more:

What motivated you to join the Bipartisan Climate Solution Caucus?

Global emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases continue to rise. Climate change is not only a threat to our environment and public health, but also our economy, infrastructure, national security, and agriculture. I joined the Climate Solutions Caucus in order to put partisanship aside and find solutions to combat this crisis.

You sit on the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Science. The current budget being reviewed for FY2018 will cut $528 million from the EPA. What are your thoughts on this?

We need to invest in – not cripple – agencies focused on curbing climate change. I am a strong supporter of the EPA and the work done there to protect clean water, clean air, and our natural resources. I will continue to use my seat on the Appropriations Committee to support full funding for the EPA and to fight for critical programs that protect our environment for future generations.

Can you discuss specific legislation you have introduced to protect the environment?

To this Congress, I introduced the FRESHER Act (Focused Reduction of Effluence and Stormwater Runoff Through Hydraulic Environmental Regulation. The FRESHER Act protects our environment from the dangers of fracking by repealing exemptions in the Clean Water Act, which allow the oil and gas industries to operate without stormwater permits.

We need to ensure that all industries are held accountable to ensure the safety of our communities.

How has your district specifically been impacted by climate change? Are you dealing with the ramifications of fracking infrastructure? Methane leaks? How do you propose to safeguard your constituents?

Some areas in Pennsylvania’s 17th district have been impacted by poor air quality. For instance, the American Lung Association has scored Northampton County as an ‘F’ on particle pollution. I believe everyone deserves access to clean air, which is why I am a Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC), which promotes clean energy technology and green collar job innovation.

We also need to take precautions with regards to natural gas. Research shows that background methane levels in Northeastern Pennsylvania have significantly increased though natural gas drilling has declined. This suggests that there are leaks during production and transportation of natural gas. We must be doing all we can to plug leaks and eliminate flaring of excess gas, which can rapidly increase greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.

Ensuring that the fracking process is performed in an environmentally safe manner has been a top priority for me – which is why I introduced the FRESHER Act.

Frontline communities are now at a greater risk for harm due to the lack of interest in Environmental Justice from the Trump administration. How can they be protected?

We can never allow a situation like the Flint water crisis to happen again. Access to clean water and clean air is a right. Instead of gutting funding for agencies that safeguard environmental protections, we need to fund their work in order to protect our most vulnerable communities. I plan on continuing to fight for bipartisan solutions to protect those who are disproportionately affected by environmental injustices.

What advice do you have for parents who are concerned about the impact of climate change on children’s health, and the potential relaxation of clean air regulations?

I encourage all concerned parents to contact their representatives – not just on the federal level, but also on the state and local levels – to urge them to take action and support any legislation that would improve air quality.

TELL CONGRESS: NOBODY VOTED TO MAKE AMERICA DIRTY AGAIN

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As expected, @PUCOhio rubberstamps FirstEnergy's bailout. EDF and others will challenge at Ohio Supreme Court edf.org/82d

By Irene Burga

Cities across the U.S. are taking the reins on climate leadership, and Los Angeles has emerged as a hotbed for new solutions that will improve air quality and move the needle toward reaching local and state climate goals.

Strong mayoral commitment across the country

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has made it clear that growing the city sustainably is a priority. In his State of the City address in April, he assured that “if the White House pulls out of the Paris climate agreement, we’re going to adopt it right here in L.A.” – and so far he has shown commitment to that promise. The Mayors National Climate Action Agenda, co-founded by Garcetti, established a network of 367 U.S. mayors and counting, representing over 67 million Americans, committed to implementing the Paris climate agreement of limiting atmospheric temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius in their own localities. This commitment from cities across the country demonstrates that local solutions are leading the way, and Los Angeles is at the forefront.

Looking to a clean energy future in the City of Angels

Under the LA Sustainability Plan, Los Angeles must cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2025, 60% by 2035 and 80% by 2050. A crucial part of reaching these aggressive goals is transitioning to a clean energy future. To that end, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), launched a study to analyze how the largest municipal utility in the U.S. can run on 100% clean energy.

LADWP has already committed to eliminating its dependence on coal by 2025, and now this study – in combination with a roadmap to get L.A. powered by clean energy resources – will ensure the region’s reliance on other fossil fuels like natural gas and crude oil also decreases, a critical step in reducing harmful emissions.

More than 4 million people and almost 500,000 businesses are located in Los Angeles – and delivering affordable, reliable, clean energy to this massive population will be a challenge. But by integrating more renewables onto the grid and focusing on reducing emissions, the city can keep energy bills low while improving air quality and creating more opportunity for clean energy businesses.

Los Angeles County tests avenues for deploying more clean energy

Not only is the city seriously looking into how to decrease fossil fuel energy usage, but the County of Los Angeles is also testing models. In April, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to drive more renewable energy into the county, allocating $10 million to get the Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) program up and running. The program plans to bring together several cities within the county to purchase clean electricity in the wholesale power market as an alternative to purchasing electricity directly from local investor owned utilities, in order to create a greener electricity mix.

Coordinated state and local action is a force to be reckoned with

California as a state has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and getting at least half of its energy from renewables by 2030. With SB 100 now making its way through the legislature, California has the opportunity to set an ambitious target of reaching 100% clean energy by 2045.

Los Angeles’ local actions fit squarely into the state’s goals. In some cases they are more ambitious and may push California to reach even higher ground. These local efforts also signal other cities across the country that transitioning to a clean energy future is not only possible but is already happening.

State and local targets are meant to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, improve air quality, and spur innovation in renewable technology – an outcome that has been observed over the last decade as California has integrated the most renewables onto the grid out of any other state in the country, all while steadily increasing jobs and becoming the sixth largest economy in the world. Last year, 27% of the state’s electricity came from wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and hydroelectric sources. We now have the ability to grow that percentage and make an even greater impact.

Taking action when it counts

Progress in this area can’t come soon enough. Last year, California endured a fifth consecutive year of its worst drought in over a millennium, followed by a deluge of rain and snow that broke records dating back 122 years. Following this torrent of rain, the state has repeatedly seen massive forest fires and states of emergency. With advancing climate change, these seesaw conditions are likely to continue, causing real problems for the Golden State. Coupled with extreme heat waves, expansive wild fires, increasing sea level rise, and fluctuating food production, California has a lot at stake. Additionally, poor air quality, which is exacerbated by rising temperatures, continues to plague Los Angeles which once again ranks as the city with the worst ozone pollution in the country.

With so much on the table, it is imperative for Los Angeles to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. While there will be challenges in navigating this goal, the leadership the city is demonstrating shows us that Los Angeles is up for the challenge.

By Irene Burga

Cities across the U.S. are taking the reins on climate leadership, and Los Angeles has emerged as a hotbed for new solutions that will improve air quality and move the needle toward reaching local and state climate goals.

Strong mayoral commitment across the country

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has made it clear that growing the city sustainably is a priority. In his State of the City address in April, he assured that “if the White House pulls out of the Paris climate agreement, we’re going to adopt it right here in L.A.” – and so far he has shown commitment to that promise. The Mayors National Climate Action Agenda, co-founded by Garcetti, established a network of 367 U.S. mayors and counting, representing over 67 million Americans, committed to implementing the Paris climate agreement of limiting atmospheric temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius in their own localities. This commitment from cities across the country demonstrates that local solutions are leading the way, and Los Angeles is at the forefront.

Looking to a clean energy future in the City of Angels

Under the LA Sustainability Plan, Los Angeles must cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2025, 60% by 2035 and 80% by 2050. A crucial part of reaching these aggressive goals is transitioning to a clean energy future. To that end, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), launched a study to analyze how the largest municipal utility in the U.S. can run on 100% clean energy.

LADWP has already committed to eliminating its dependence on coal by 2025, and now this study – in combination with a roadmap to get L.A. powered by clean energy resources – will ensure the region’s reliance on other fossil fuels like natural gas and crude oil also decreases, a critical step in reducing harmful emissions.

More than 4 million people and almost 500,000 businesses are located in Los Angeles – and delivering affordable, reliable, clean energy to this massive population will be a challenge. But by integrating more renewables onto the grid and focusing on reducing emissions, the city can keep energy bills low while improving air quality and creating more opportunity for clean energy businesses.

Los Angeles County tests avenues for deploying more clean energy

Not only is the city seriously looking into how to decrease fossil fuel energy usage, but the County of Los Angeles is also testing models. In April, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to drive more renewable energy into the county, allocating $10 million to get the Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) program up and running. The program plans to bring together several cities within the county to purchase clean electricity in the wholesale power market as an alternative to purchasing electricity directly from local investor owned utilities, in order to create a greener electricity mix.

Coordinated state and local action is a force to be reckoned with

California as a state has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and getting at least half of its energy from renewables by 2030. With SB 100 now making its way through the legislature, California has the opportunity to set an ambitious target of reaching 100% clean energy by 2045.

Los Angeles’ local actions fit squarely into the state’s goals. In some cases they are more ambitious and may push California to reach even higher ground. These local efforts also signal other cities across the country that transitioning to a clean energy future is not only possible but is already happening.

State and local targets are meant to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, improve air quality, and spur innovation in renewable technology – an outcome that has been observed over the last decade as California has integrated the most renewables onto the grid out of any other state in the country, all while steadily increasing jobs and becoming the sixth largest economy in the world. Last year, 27% of the state’s electricity came from wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and hydroelectric sources. We now have the ability to grow that percentage and make an even greater impact.

Taking action when it counts

Progress in this area can’t come soon enough. Last year, California endured a fifth consecutive year of its worst drought in over a millennium, followed by a deluge of rain and snow that broke records dating back 122 years. Following this torrent of rain, the state has repeatedly seen massive forest fires and states of emergency. With advancing climate change, these seesaw conditions are likely to continue, causing real problems for the Golden State. Coupled with extreme heat waves, expansive wild fires, increasing sea level rise, and fluctuating food production, California has a lot at stake. Additionally, poor air quality, which is exacerbated by rising temperatures, continues to plague Los Angeles which once again ranks as the city with the worst ozone pollution in the country.

With so much on the table, it is imperative for Los Angeles to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. While there will be challenges in navigating this goal, the leadership the city is demonstrating shows us that Los Angeles is up for the challenge.