REAP Supports Mayor Villaraigosa's Clean Energy Investment Strategy to Make Los Angeles Coal-Free by 2020

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Renewable Energy Accountability Project

Mar 15, 2010, 02:46 ET

PASADENA, Calif., March 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Renewable Energy Accountability Project (REAP) strongly supports Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's clean energy investment strategy to make Los Angeles coal-free by 2020.

"The clean energy investment strategy, outlined today by Mayor Villaraigosa, will help assure that Los Angeles becomes coal-free by 2020," said Jim Gonzalez, Chair of REAP. "Every penny LADWP invests in solar, wind, and geothermal technologies is money invested in American jobs, national security, and clean energy independence," continued Gonzalez.

"Mayor Villaraigosa's courageous environmental leadership -- despite the shrill criticism of right wing pundits like Rush Limbaugh -- shows that the Mayor knows how to put the interests of the people of Los Angeles first, before the interests of the dirty coal lobby," concluded Gonzalez.

Last Fall, REAP launched a grass roots education campaign in Southern California to inform the residents of six cities regarding the harmful effects of burning dirty coal to generate municipal electricity. Currently, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Riverside, and Anaheim generate 40% to 70% of their electricity from the Intermountain Coal Plant, which is operated by LADWP.

REAP is a nationwide grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring energy independence and reducing atmospheric pollution. REAP monitors and reports on the progress of clean electricity generation as we transition away from dirty coal and fossil fuels. Its Chair, Jim Gonzalez, served on the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco.

http://www.reapinfo.org

SOURCE Renewable Energy Accountability Project