LA DWP to speed Alternate Energy programs

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, seeing a tight market in the fossil fuels used to generate electricity, is committing itself to a major push for green power:

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will expand its use of solar, wind and other renewable power sources from 3% of its electricity portfolio to 20% by 2017, its governing board agreed Monday, although environmentalists said the goal should be met earlier.

The board, which was appointed by Mayor James K. Hahn, approved the policy a little more than a month before Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa becomes mayor. Villaraigosa has said that he wants the department to reach the 20% mark by 2010.

Environmental activists prefer Villaraigosa's tougher standard, although they said Monday that the board's action was a good start in getting the DWP to trade some coal and gas power for solar, geothermal and wind power, as well as for power from small hydroelectric dams.

DWP Commissioner Dominick Rubalcava has said that fluctuations in natural gas prices are among the Department's greatest challenges, and along with waiting for LNG terminals to be built, this is one of the few ways to generate power left to the agency.