The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has committed to meeting all of its energy needs with 100% clean renewable energy by 2040. The Clean Energy and Sustainability Resolution, signed on Wednesday by the Board of Trustees, also includes a shorter term goal to transition to 100% renewable sources of electricity by 2030.
With this announcement, LACCD joins the University of California, Berkeley, in committing to 100% renewable energy for all uses, as well as the entire University of California system in committing to all-renewable electricity.
LACCD’s resolution builds on California’s Senate Bill 100, which established a statewide goal of generating 100% renewable and zero-carbon electricity by 2045.
In response, Environment California research and policy center director Dan Jacobson released the following statement:
“By taking this step toward 100% clean and renewable energy, LACCD is driving progress and showing us all that what just a few years ago was considered a pipe dream is possible. We know that we need to transition our whole economy to renewable energy to ensure a cleaner, healthier future. Leadership from colleges and universities can help pave the way. Congratulations and thank you to LACCD!”
News item from Environment America
Larry McLaughlin says
Hello Kelsey,
I work in the community college system in Southern California and have seen colleges make significant investments in solar energy on their campuses without tying the awarding of contracts to either training or employment of their students. A missed opportunity. The goals at LACCD are ambitous and the project work needed to meet the goals will be large enough in scope that such a stipulation could be included in their contracts. District-wide apprenticeships could be created with the construction companies building the renewable energy systems if some of this energy is to be produced on district property. The opportunities for training could be expanded further if the district includes storage and microgrid strategies as part of the 100% renewables implementation. The community college system has a mission of preparing tomorrow’s workforce with tomorrow’s skills. LACCD shouldn’t overlook the opportunity to work with its contractors to train and place students in tomorrow’s jobs during the life of these projects.