Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Regulation, Sourcing Renewables  -  February 13, 2020

LA mayor commits city to carbon-free building construction

All new or substantially rehabilitated buildings owned by the City of Los Angeles will be 100% carbon-free under a new initiative announced Feb. 10 by Mayor Eric Garcetti.

The commitment also includes using less carbon-intensive building materials for city-owned buildings.

Mayor Garcetti is on a path to make Los Angeles the first local government to adopt the Buy Clean California Act, which requires carbon emissions reductions from construction materials used in some city buildings, like steel, flat glass and insulation, starting in 2021. As this program moves forward, other carbon-intensive building materials such as cement will be addressed in future carbon reduction plans.

According to a report by the NRDC, Los Angeles already has 26 all-electric buildings in development using 100% clean energy building techniques.

With this development, Los Angeles joins cities, such as Seattle, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, that have also committed to constructing zero-emission buildings.

Mayor Garcetti also announced this week a new program requiring the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to offer funding for energy efficiency and clean energy opportunities for renters of low-income, affordable housing and multifamily properties. The LADWP Board approved such a program and a potential fund for its implementation of $100 million in 2018.

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