Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, alongside a cohort of environmental leaders in downtown L.A., touted a productive year of green initiatives and job creation, according to an official announcement made earlier. Mayor Bass shared the City's notable accomplishments including achieving their green job creation goal set back in 2019, a full year ahead of schedule, with over 100,000 jobs created.
Key developments include Los Angeles setting a benchmark for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure by installing nearly 16,000 EV chargers in the past two years—a significant 77% increase since Bass's tenure began. Running for her second anniversary in office, Bass is on a citywide tour, showcasing changes her administration has delivered in combating climate change and advancing city services, pointed out the city's press release.
The Eland Solar & Storage Center, an impressive solar power facility, also commenced operations this year, providing clean energy to upwards of 250,000 homes. The city's clean energy endeavors push forward, with plans in place for L.A. to be powered entirely by clean energy by the ambitious goal of 2035. "We have worked urgently to build a greener Los Angeles to make a healthier and more sustainable city," Mayor Bass stated.
In a groundbreaking move, the City has logged the interfaces many strides in green construction and infrastructure. Notably, the Port of Los Angeles secured a whopping $412 million grant to support zero-emission transportation and infrastructure, demonstrating a significant commitment to cleaner port operations. Meanwhile, working with their fingers to the bone on the environmental front, the City's water conservation efforts hit their target over a year early, with a sharp reduction in water usage from 2014 levels.
Furthermore, the Donald C. Tillman Groundwater Replenishment Project broke ground, signifying a major step toward sustainable local water resources. Addressing the need for increased resilience to climate change, the City has captured an unprecedented amount of stormwater, recharging an essential groundwater basin.
Touching on improving essential services and social spaces, Bass's administration has been busy with initiatives like bringing advanced water purification facilities online and the commitment to transform park spaces from brownfield sites. "Driving forward the clean energy transition in a City as diverse and complex as Los Angeles is no small task," Ben Stapleton of USGBC-CA told the Mayor's Office.
With an eye towards the future, L.A. is positioning itself on the global stage to showcase its strides in sustainability. Mayor Bass's Climate Cabinet is responsible for steering the City's multifaceted action on climate initiatives. In addition, international collaborations are part of the equation, as evidenced by Mayor Bass's agreements with foreign entities to foster cross-border environmental dialogue and progress.
