Investing in the Green Economy Now for a More Secure Future
John F. Kennedy once said, "When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity." We're all well aware of the dangers that many Americans are facing during the current economic crisis: unemployment, foreclosure, financial uncertainty. As the mayor of Los Angeles, I'm acutely aware of the challenges our city and the nation as a whole must confront, but I choose to view these challenges as opportunities to create a better tomorrow. Now is the time to take bold action to invest in programs that will create green, sustainable industries that will provide good jobs and provide long term economic and environmental benefits.
President Obama has made the creation of a green economy a top priority in his stimulus plan, and his commitment is reflected in the budget he submitted to Congress this week. Here in Los Angeles we have already started by creating the largest solar power program in the nation, which will not only reduce our city's carbon emissions but will create thousands of good jobs for our citizens. By voting for Measure B on the city's March 3rd ballot, the people of Los Angeles will be voting for green jobs, a stronger economy, and a stronger, cleaner and greener LA.
Measure B will require the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) to install 400 megawatts of solar power on buildings throughout the city. The measure will create thousands of new jobs and clean up our air for future generations. The DWP estimates they will hire 200-400 people immediately and up to 1000 over the next five years to implement the solar program. These are solid, well-paying jobs with health care benefits that so many workers in Los Angeles desperately need.
The measure will also require the DWP to create a job training academy that targets underserved communities in Los Angeles, those communities hardest hit by the current economy with the highest unemployment rates. The academy will give those new workers the skills they need to pursue a career in a new green industry.
But that's only the beginning. We will welcome solar manufacturers moving to LA to take advantage of a significant bid preference for local manufacturers, creating thousands of good paying jobs in manufacturing, engineering, compliance, administration and so on.
Solar Integrated, a Los Angeles based solar manufacturer, has already predicted it will hire 750 people if Measure B passes Tuesday.
We can do this. We can turn our economy around and build a cleaner, greener Los Angeles. It's time for this change.
Already we see how green job creation works in our city today. The Los Angeles Community College District, the largest community college district in the nation, recently announced hiring another 6000 workers to help them complete the next phase of their green building program - the largest sustainable building project in the nation. LAUSD is hiring to install solar panels on their rooftops. The IBEW, our city's experts in energy installation have been training their members and installing panels on homes, libraries, and other buildings across the area.
A broad coalition of environmental, labor, public health, and community organizations including the Coalition for Clean Air, American Lung Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, California League of Conservation Voters, and the Apollo Alliance have endorsed Measure B. Solar companies supporting Measure B, including First Solar, announced this week it reduced its manufacturing cost for solar modules to 98 cents per watt, breaking the $1 per watt price barrier.
Measure B comes at the right time, as the cost for solar is going down and the Obama Administration is planning to invest in green public works projects. Today, we estimate Measure B will cost ratepayers a small investment of $1 per month to implement. That figure could go down, and ratepayers will be in control with an unprecedented level of transparency to hold the LADWP accountable for spending this investment wisely.
Measure B requires the DWP take several steps -- for the first time ever -- to ensure transparency and accountability to its ratepayers. First, the policy has gone before the voters of Los Angeles rather than designed and implemented behind the scenes. Second, it must go before the City Council after Tuesday's vote for a final ratification. The City Controller will be required to complete an annual public audit to root out inefficiencies and ineffective practices. Finally, a new Citizen Advisory Committee will be created to advocate on behalf of the ratepayers to ensure Measure B is completed on time and on budget.
I believe that our efforts have resulted in the best, lowest cost program to significantly, quickly increase the amount of renewable energy we generate in LA. By passing Measure B, Los Angeles can lead the nation in the new green economy. We can serve as an example to other cities across the country. And perhaps most importantly, we can turn this economic crisis into a more secure, prosperous and green future for the people of Los Angeles.
Antonio Villaraigosa is the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles.
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If Measure B is such a good deal, why do the Los Angeles Times , the Daily News , the Chmaber of Commerce, and a majority of the Neighborhood Councils oppose Measure B?
Very simple.
It involves a needless charter change, it was the result of back room dealings and coverups fueled by massive cash campaign contributions by the IBEW, DWP's domineering union, it will result in huge rate increases, it has the potential for massivie cost overruns, it essentially eliminates the building trades and third party contractors, and it creates fewer jobs than advertised.
This crude and deceitful attempt at ballot box legislation is an insult to the people of Los Angeles.
I like what you are saying Mayor.
If this was human waste it would not be allowed to just be dumped and spread all over the place in such a disgusting manner. Now, farmers are very concerned about having enough water for their crops, in different areas, as well. And animal products are very unhealthy-- are linked to colon cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, obesity, asthma, acne, other health problems. Pesticides on crops fed to animals (and on other crops as well, of course) are linked to Parkinson's, diabetes, cancer, lower IQs, birth deformities, many other problems, and on and on. Raising animals, livestock production uses huge amounts of water; you can support many, many more people on a vegetarian diet than on an animal product based diet. One thing I read talking about this, said everytime someone eats a steak imagine there are forty people in the room with you going hungry, as you could have fed forty people vs. one if the same resources had gone into growing vegetables as into producing this one steak. With an ever increasing population, dwindling water supplies, greenhouses gases run amok, and increasing problems with health related to over consumption of animal products, excessive protein intake, and so on, perhaps it is really time for more folks to get smarter, and truly progressive in their outlook toward livestock production, an animal based diet, and related environmental issues? How some can call themselves progressive and not see this as an issue, is truly beyond me.
Even folks at the UN who are working on climate change, have come out and stated folks should cut back on eating animal products, and that while it is a harder and longer-term problem to, say, change our whole transportation system, it would be easy and fast for folks to change their eating habits and help with global warming by helping to cut down on all of this methane coming from livestock, right? Do many folks have any idea the amount of animal feces being generated currently? Do many folks have any idea how completely disgusting it is for many others to have to tolerate living in a world that has just basically become one big s*** pile, so someone can have their stupid hamburger or filet mignon, or pork rinds, or whatever other completely grotesque thing someone wants to gobble down? Huge areas of this country have just been turned into big cess **** pools of animal waste. Just completely disgusting. Biodiversity in western areas which are used for cattle grazing has suffered enormously since the introduction of this awful practice. And yes, methane is a much worse greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Animal waste, manure, gases from such waste, does not just smell bad, it can cause respiratory and heart disease, can even cause brain damage and death at high levels, blood poisoning, and on an on, from what I have read. Who is regulating all of this waste? I mean in some meaningful way?
All true and I applaud you for saying it. the truth is, the person on the typical Standard American Diet could buy a Hummer and switch to a vegan diet, and it would be a net gain for the environment. Meat production is that energy-inefficieant and destructive.
BUT you will probably get slammed for pointing this stuff out. Be brave!
Everyone is talking about investing in green energy and that's great. However, if we just continue to pursue only mainstream alternative energy we will never really solve the problem. We need to look to new ideas. I read a grreat article about harnessing star energy here on earth. Plus we need to push for new efforts in cold fusion as well. I have heard of this process called SuperWaveFusion, which could be a possible breakthrough in cold fusion. I recently read that 2 independent labs have replicated this process, this is the type of new thinking we need! It's time to be bold and not just rely on wind and solar to save our planet.
Measure B was put on the March 3rd, 2009 ballot in a manner that violated the City Charter of Los Angeles. The deal that was cut between the Mayor and the IBEW to give them all of the jobs was also in violation of what is called the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Memorandum of Understanding.
Our new President Obama has asked for complete transparency. This is the worst example that we could have of a lack of transparency since our new Administration took office.
At a time of a billion dollar budget deficit in Los Angeles, and almost 10 % unemployment, the Mayor and his people used the lure of the words "SOLAR" and "GREEN JOBS" to sell this program to the people.
It is expected that there will be less than a 10% voter turnout in this election - the Mayor who is up for reelection is not even showing up to debates.
The vast majority of the votes will most likely be the Absentee ballots. And many of those ballots were cast before the sun was shined on what the implications of what Measure B could really do.
We all want solar - but we want to know its costs. And we want jobs for all of the unions - not just the IBEW.
Vote "No on Measure B"
People don't get that LA has a comprehensive solar plan that will take advantage of solar thermal plants in the high desert (though the obstacles w/transmission are numerous and I have far more hope for in-basin PV), feed-in tarrifs, and a public investment in solar pv in-basin on public land.
Measure B is a giant step forward and I am proud that LA is going to pass it tommorow and proud that our Mayor is a leader on renewables despite the folks that would like to see solar done only their way and nitpick any bold plan to death.
what are the rates for the FITs and how do ratepayer generators collect them? How much has been paid so far to ratepayer generators? right. you don't know. because they don't exist. only the bottomless pit of PR for the Mayor and Nahai have FITs. the people of LA have NOTHING.
thanks for calling yourself a green and promoting the needless death of our deserts. with "greens" like that, who needs coal??
the BOLD plan would be for a real revolution, where WE the people get to own the power generators and get paid for doing the right thing - why does that threaten you? why don't you support the funding of AB 811 and generous (german style) feed in tariffs if you want "bold?"
DWP will crush anyone and anyplace that stands in its way of Empire Building. why are you defending them?
As mentioned above, Mayor V. is DISCOURAGING residents from putting up solar panels by not allowing FITs (feed-in tarrifs). In fact, it is Los Angeles' insistence on owning the solar panels which is ridiculous and slows down our shift towards renewables. Also, LADWP's insistence on OWNING transmission capacity has led them to propose a $600million transmission line dubbed "Green Path North" (GPN) even though Southern California Edison has offered to expand capacity on existing transmission lines to accomodate them. LA has proposed GPN to go through nature preserves and the historic site of Pioneertown. Their latest "compromise" is to build 250kV transmission lines through San Timoteo Canyon, Redlands and Loma Linda. They are still unwilling to share with SCE because "it doesn't fit our business model" (LADWP representatives have publicly admitted this). Mayor Villaraigosa is the one person who can put a stop to this idocy. But he refuses.
Mayor V. wants to run for Governor based partly on his "green" record. I suggest it is more a GREENWASHING record. Statewide, Californians should take a close look at his attitudes towards his neighbors. As Governor, he could push through his pet programs regardless of their effects on the rest of the State.
Mr Mayor
In July last year, California passed AB 811 which allows you Mr. Mayor, to provide loans to LA residents for energy efficiency improvements and renewable generation installs like rooftop PV. We all know how successful this program could be in LA, just by looking at cities like Palm Desert and Berkeley that have already funded and immediately sold out AB 811 loans.
People will stand in line for the loans to install it on their roofs. Is this what you fear? That you will exceed you 1.3 GW capacity goals, but not through a model that allows LADWP to own the whole thing?
Rates will not have to be raised to pay for new infrastructure (residents will gladly fund it if they are allowed to own it). Property values will increase, many new jobs will be created, and renewable energy electrons will begin to flow without delays. Palm Desert residents that received loans for PV installs back in Nov 2008 already have their systems installed and operating.
You can meet and exceed RPS goals easily by allowing LA residents to participate, just like Germany. You visited Germany so you know that 90% of the solar energy generated there is building integrated "point of use" PV solar - funded and owned by residents and business wanting to participate in cleaning up their cities instead of being the problem. Germany installed 1.3 GW of rooftop solar capacity in 2007 alone. One year Mr. Mayor. What's stopping you?
Mayor Villaraigosa, with respect, I call Blarney on Measure B. If you really cared about property values, jobs, economic stimulus, global warming, renewable energy and/or the environment, you would IMMEDIATELY stop Measure B and the cynically-named "Green Path," which will destroy the Joshua Tree area, and will use the 5.6 BILLION saved to fund AB 811 loans so that RATEPAYERS can install solar panels on their own roofs, and implement GENEROUS feed in tariffs so that RATEPAYERS can be paid for power they produce and do not use. Gainesville, FLA and Albania are way out ahead of LA - how's that make ya look for Governor???
DWP Empire Building Boondoggles need to stop. Owens Valley, Mono Lake, LAUSD - come on, it is humiliating to everyone in LA to own this mercenary utility. We want to be the center of the renewables revolution, not the hijacked, ripped off wilderness-killing "owners" of a dubious slush fund for the City of LA.
FUND AB 811, IMPLEMENT FEED IN TARIFFS AT 40 CENTS OR MORE, AND LET US DO THE REST. NO MEASURE B. NO GREEN PATH.
And we are supposed to follow a state that is currently $42 Billion dollars in debt ?
The Green Energy Con Artists have returned to run their con game on a naive public that is being brained washed by the purveyors of propaganda, the current main stream media. They have been trying to push their so called green agenda for over forty years and were previously unsuccessful because we did have, despite all reports, a wise government with knowledgeable and responsible leaders at one time. The wind blew back then and the Sun shined just as brightly as now. Also, the laws of physics were the same and they said back then, as now, neither of these sources of energy will be sufficient to provide the power currently being provided by carbon based fuels.
Green is just another investment opportunity that justifies keeping the casino open and to build yet another investment bubble to generate temporary wealth for the people at the top. If you want to create a government jobs program, like FDR's WPA of the 1930s, go ahead and do it. It will put money back into the system and allow banks to start lending again to people who will now have the ability to pay it back. But don't think you are going to solve the world's energy and environmental problems with the Green Fantasy. The oil and coal producers are literally laughing up their sleeves !
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