Los Angeles pauses $2.2 billion gas plant investment plan

• 7 years ago (2017-06-08)
• David Flin

Gas 393 North America 1021

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In Los Angeles, California, USA, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has announced that it will reconsider a $2.2 billion natural gas investment plan, and will instead look first to renewable resources to meet demand. The Board of Water and Power Commissioners said that it: “Has put on hold all planned local repowering projects until a system-wide, in-depth, and independent study/analysis is conducted.”

According to the environmental organisation the Sierra Club, Los Angeles is currently in the process of overhauling 70 per cent of its generation mix.

LADWP had budgeted over $60 million in the 2017-18 Fiscal Year to complete demolition projects at Scattergood and Haynes Generating Stations and prepare the sites for repowering projects. The Los Angeles Times reported that the broader plan to rebuild several gas plants would cost over $2 billion.

Amanda Parsons, a spokesperson for LADWP, said that the utility: “Wants to study all of the options so that we make sure that we have the best data that we can possibly have and the best information before moving forward.”

LADWP made the decision as state lawmakers consider increasing renewable energy goals. The California Senate passed a measure to mandate 100 per cent of electricity from renewable energy by 2045. The bill is moving to the state assembly for consideration. SB 100 would target 50 per cent of renewable energy by the end of 2026, and 60 per cent by the end of 2030. California currently has a 50 per cent renewable energy target set for 2030, and sourced 27 per cent of its electricity from renewables last year.