Legislative Update by U.S. Representative Laura Friedman; Public Benefits Budget (GWP); AC to Heat Pump Reach Code Ordinance Approval
Clean Energy Resolution Passes; Council Votes 4–1 to Take Next Steps on Grayson Repowering with 3 Engines
The Glendale City Council voted unanimously on March 1, 2022, to revise its prior 3-2 vote from February 15, when it approved a $260 million purchase of gas generation equipment. The new vote defers the decision on purchasing the gas equipment until the end of 2022 so that clean energy and other alternatives can be explored.
Council will consider Councilmember Brotman’s motion at their next meeting, March 1. This is our LAST CHANCE to insist that Glendale commit to a clean energy agenda starting now.
By a 3-2 vote, Glendale City Council certified the Grayson Repowering FEIR. With another 3-2 vote, they approved the report’s Alternative 7, which includes five new fossil fuel burning engines at an estimated cost of $260 million, along with a battery energy storage system. Council has agreed to consider amending the project approval in two weeks.
Glendale City Council votes unanimously to move forward with Glendale joining the Race to Zero campaign. Council members raise various subjects including increasing EV charging in Glendale, potential city support for a state-wide ban on gas-powered landscaping equipment, and a potential ordinance to prevent excessive light pollution.
Glendale City Council votes unanimously to move forward with an ordinance change to allowing backyard beekeeping in residential zones, Councilmember Najarian introduces the Metro Micro service and Councilmember Brotman requests an implementation plan for the transition of all of Glendale’s parks and properties from gas to electric landscaping equipment, now that funding has been allocated, as well as a plan to expand this policy city-wide.
Sustainability Director David Jones offered a presentation on the “Race to Zero” campaign.
Ascend Analytics’ 100% Clean Energy by 2030 analysis is well received, follow up action requested; Hazard Pay passes; The ordinance for a ban on polystyrene and single use plastics for city sponsored events and city facilities had its first reading and will come back for a vote; the city plans for 5 electric buses and accepts funding for charging infrastructure.
GEC is proud to sign on to a letter to California Secretary for Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot, requesting that California participate in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity as an official observer and member of the Advisory Committee on Subnational Governments. This letter, sent by over 30 local, regional, national, and international environmental organizations and leaders, supports a request…
On April 19th, 2020 – the Glendale Environmental Coalition held an online PANEL DISCUSSION with focus on: Reducing Plastic Use and Plastic Waste in Glendale plus updates from state and local officials and employees on the current state of environmental legislation in Los Angeles County and CA. Below is the agenda, followed by a meeting summary and links to presentations offered…
Now Hiring! Glendale’s first Sustainability Officer! GEC thanks the Glendale City Council and City Staff for supporting this new position. In order to be effective, it is our hope that all city contracts and agreements go through an environmental review before execution. It is our further hope that the office have the authority to set goals to which the individual city departments will…
GEC congratulates Glendale Water & Power on taking another step forward to meet our city’s clean energy goals. Glendale entered into two new contracts for geothermal energy, Whitegrass (3 megawatts annually beginning April, 2020) and Star Peak (12.5 megawatts annually beginning April, 2021). Both projects are located in Nevada. The 25-year contract with Open Mountain Energy will eventually provide the city…
PROJECT UPDATE: Committee and partners plan to meet with Glendale City staff shortly to set a timeline to go before City Council to request authorization of a feasibility study. We will be reaching out to GEC members to participate in encouraging Council to support this effort through a rally, speaking at city council, emails, etc. READY TO SUPPORT NOW? Sign…
SAVE THE DATE! Our next GEC General Meeting is Sunday, January 19th in Downtown, Glendale (more info on our calendar) GEC welcomes our special guest, Jessica Handy of KISS THE GROUND, who will talk about regenerative soil techniques (basics of how soil works and agricultural practices, day-to-day ways that people can participate in carbon sequestration, things that can be done…
The Glendale Environmental Coalition (GEC) is a grassroots organization that was founded to advocate for a future built on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage, and against the “business as usual” approach that called for a half-billion-dollar expansion of the Grayson Power Plant. Our successful campaign halted Glendale’s plan to invest in what would have been the last new…
GEC congratulates the City of Glendale on joining the ELAND Solar & Battery Project! With 25 MW of new solar power and 18.75 MW of battery storage, this is exactly the kind of initiative that our organization hoped our city would adopt in lieu of new gas at Grayson. The Eland Project is one piece of the clean energy puzzle,…
GEC thanks FOOD FORWARD for attending our December General Meeting and educating us on their programs to prevent perfectly edible food from being landfilled. This excellent organization has now officially recovered and distributed 75 million pounds of produce to people in need! You can participate by collecting food donations at farmers markets, as a “picker” of fruit trees and/or donate your…
