Cities say no to coal

A number of Southern California cities announced last week strategies to acquire electricity from alternative energy rather than through long-term contracts with coal power plants.

According to the Associated Press, local officials told Utah-based Intermountain Power Agency on Nov. 20 they did not plan to renew their contracts to receive power from coal plants, which expire in 2027. Instead, they plan to look into renewable energy options, including wind and solar power.

Cities included in the decision are Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale, Riverside and Anaheim. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power had previously stated plans to abandon Internountain coal contracts for alternative energy. Cities and businesses are taking a deeper look into greenhouse gas emissions reductions since the passing of California's Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2007 [see "Chilly reception for global warming act," SIJ, Oct. 2006].