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Pass Measure B on March 3rd for Clean Energy and Jobs
On March 3, Angelenos have the opportunity to make Los Angeles one of the greenest cities in the country. Measure B, the citywide solar initiative, will significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the use of solar energy. Measure B will help clean the air, fight global warming, and provide quality local jobs. As a result, the city of Los Angeles will lead the nation in solar energy.
The key provision of Measure B requires the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to oversee the installation of enough solar photovoltaic solar panels on commercial, industrial, and institutional property to produce 400 megawatts of energy per year by 2014. After a decade of tax credits and private sector investment, L.A. has only 13 megawatts of solar power – less than one percent of the City’s power supply. Measure B will ensure that the city develops clean solar power NOW.
The Problem:
The LADWP currently generates 75% of its electricity using fossil fuels with a significant amount generated by coal-fired power plants. This has helped to give L.A. the worst air pollution in the nation, causing thousands of cases of lung disease, asthma, and deaths each year.
Measure B helps fight global warming and save lives:
- It will create 400 megawatts of clean solar power which will eliminate 400,000 tons of greenhouse gases from our air, helping to save lives and keep our air clean by reducing our dependence on dirty fossil fuels.
Measure B creates good jobs and strengthens Los Angeles’ economy:
- An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 well paying, skilled jobs will be generated locally.
- It includes provisions for job training targeted at underserved communities in L.A. and includes incentives for local manufacturers.
Measure B protects ratepayers & provides oversight and accountability:
- It will save ratepayers money in the long run because over time solar power will be significantly cheaper than alternatives like coal and gas. It is the lowest cost option available for action now.
Measure B is an important step toward ensuring that future generations will not have to depend on highly polluting forms of energy. The cost of Measure B is estimated to be $1.5 billion to be paid for with DWP operating dollars. No bond money is involved. Because of the large scale of this project, manufacturing costs for solar power equipment is expected to drop dramatically.
Read more about Measure B in our blog entry.
Time for a bold step — Vote YES on Measure B! Find your polling place here.
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