The Road To Clean aiR - LA Differentiated

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j N Solutions c > Clean energy, green jobs The renewable energy sector holds six times the potential for job creation than that of fossil fuels. Californians could see an average increase of 16,000 new jobs per year if we obtained 30% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Los Angeles is one of our nation’s leading metropolitan areas for “green-collar” jobs, and the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) is working to further the city’s investment in clean energy. CCA figures prominently in the Los Angeles Apollo Alliance, a coalition of labor, environmental, business and community leaders promoting investment in a green economy and providing green job training for low-income workers. Spurred by the Alliance’s Green Retrofit Workforce Initiative, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance to retrofit city buildings and connect low-income communities to the hundreds of newly created jobs. In 2009 CCA supported Measure B, an initiative to install 400 megawatts of solar panels around Los Angeles. Though the measure was defeated by a narrow margin, supporters—including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and a broad coalition of environmental, health and labor organizations— continue to push for solar power to achieve Los Angeles’ clean energy goals. Prominent in the Measure B effort was the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), who honored CCA in 2008 for exceptional efforts and dedication in promoting the use of electrical power to reduce port pollution. j N Results c > California renewables In September Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order requiring that California draw 33% of its electricity from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, by 2020. CCA is calling for this target to be codified further into law. L.A. leaves coal in the dust In 2009 Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced an ambitious plan to end the city’s dependence on coal-powered energy. The robust plan aims to eliminate the purchase of coal power and create more than 1,300 megawatts of solar energy—enough to power 845,000 homes—by 2020. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is the nation’s largest municipal utility, and it currently generates 76% of its energy from fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. Under the new plan, 40% of the city’s electricity will come from renewable sources. IBEW’s Kevin Norton presented the Electrical Industry Award to CCA’s Senior Campaign Associate Candice Kim. Power to the people I support the renewable energy goals set forth by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The proposed plan is for Los Angeles to obtain 40 percent of its energy from renewable resources, eliminating the purchase of dirty coal by 2020. The Coalition for Clean Air is pushing for a clearer investment plan and timeline for the achievement of more than 1,300 megawatts of solar energy by 2020. Solar energy projects that will achieve this goal include: utility-built solar panels placed on city-owned facilities, customer rebates, a program for buying power from rooftop solar installations, a way for residents to invest in “virtual” shares of solar projects and large scale solar facilities such as the one currently being proposed in Niland. When I first heard of the proposal for the Niland facility, I had immediately thought of my neighbors. At that moment, I realized solar energy is much more than power; it is about people—the people in my hometown, the people who live near coal-generated energy plants in Utah and Arizona (where the LADWP purchases dirty power), and the people of Los Angeles who flip a switch to turn on the light. We are all connected through the actions or inactions of the LADWP. Therefore we must be unified in pursuing solar energy projects and eliminating Los Angeles’ shameful addiction to coal. Whether we speak up for solar power or remain silent, it isn’t just the people of Los Angeles—but many communities beyond—who stand to lose or gain. Speak up in support of plans for clean energy and reduce our dependence on dirty coal. Monique Lopez heads up CCA’s solar power work and blogged about a potential LADWP solar facility in her hometown of Niland, California. Solar energy projects outlined in the plan include utility-built solar panels placed on city-owned facilities; large-scale solar plants in California; customer rebates; a program for buying power from rooftop solar installations; and a way for residents to invest in “virtual” shares of solar projects. CCA mobilized a coalition of hundreds of community members to testify at LADWP workshops, and we worked with more than a dozen local and national organizations to develop united policy recommendations and show support for the plan. Los Angeles’ decision to move away from coal carries impacts beyond the city limits. The largest single source of LADWP power is a coal-fired power plant in Utah. Years of CCA advocacy led in 2009 to the termination of a plan to expand this facility, after Los Angeles refused to underwrite it. Coalition for Clean Air 26 2009 Annual Report
Event highlights In 2009 the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) conducted more than 20 advocate trainings, presented at more than 25 conferences worldwide, and hosted three fundraising events. CCA continued its event series, A Toast to Clearing the Air. Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg welcomed 140 political, business, environmental and civic leaders to our first reception in Sacramento. The second annual Toast in Fresno, with featured guest Dee Dee D’Adamo of the California Air Resources Board, drew more than 85 guests. More than 300 people attended the 2009 California Air Quality Awards, where CCA honored California’s leading women working to improve air quality. Awardees included California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols, United States Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, Barbara Finlayson-Pitts, Ph.D., Nell Newman, Wendy James and the late Assemblymember Nell Soto. CCA organized the Industrial and Agricultural Energy Forum, where more than 80 individuals learned about energy-saving solutions, renewable energy, business grants, rebates and tax incentives. The Clean Air Round Table, an annual, daylong strategy session organized by CCA, drew participants from environmental organizations across the country. Warner Bros. employee volunteers stuffed 1,000 green cleaning kits as part of their IMPACT giving program. CCA uses the kits to educate parents on the harmful effects of cleaning products used in schools. CCA organized the annual, two-day Environmental Health Legislative Working Group conference, which provides training and networking for air quality and other environmental health advocates. Coalition for Clean Air 27 2009 Annual Report
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Page 3 and 4: Message from the board chair To our
Page 5 and 6: j N current campaigns VOCs in cons
Page 7 and 8: j N The Coalition for Clean Air (CC
Page 9 and 10: c > current campaigns Ports & freig
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Page 13 and 14: current campaigns San Joaquin Valle
Page 15 and 16: Advocates Q&A with our Valley team
Page 17 and 18: current campaigns The climate crisi
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Page 29 and 30: Supporters The Coalition for Clean
Page 31: Board of directors Staff www.coalit

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