‘Pasadena 100’ Rallies for 100% Carbon-Free Power Grid in Pasadena

As part of an ongoing campaign by a coalition of local environmental groups called The Pasadena 100, more than nearly 300 local activists along with elected leaders gathered for a rally at Pasadena City Hall Monday afternoon, to call on the Pasadena Department of Water and Power to reduce carbon emissions dramatically.
Their goal? A carbon-free power grid for Pasadena by the year 2030.

Local high school students presented boxes full of postcards addressed to the Pasadena City Council urging their support to Councilmember Jess Rivas before she left the rally to attend the week’s online City Council meeting. Rivas has also signed one of the postcards.

“We’re rallying to celebrate the collection of about 1,250 postcards that are filled in by Pasadena residents,” said Pasadena 100 Chairperson Cynthia Cannady. “It’s to call attention to our mission, which is trying to get the city to transition from dirty fuels like coal and gas to renewable energy by 2030.”

Cannady said Pasadena 100 believes that transitioning to 100 % carbon-free energy by 2030 is the single most important action that the City can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) that contribute to climate change.

The event was also attended by Mayor Victor Gordo, Vice Mayor Andy Wilson and Council Member Felicia Williams.

“The impacts of climate change are undeniable and we must continue working together to address the challenges before us,” Gordo told Pasadena Now on Tuesday. “Seeing community members, many of them our youth, come out to rally, raise their voices, and advocate for a better, healthier, more sustainable future is not only what we need but part of what makes our city great. The City will continue to focus efforts on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy options, and addressing climate change at the local level.”

Current state law requires PWP to procure 100% renewable and carbon free energy by 2045 with an interim target of 60% by 2030. In 2021 PWP was on track to meet SB100 with 40% renewables. PWP estimates average annual electric bill increases of 3.5-4% which is in line with average increases across the State to meet SB100 goal of 100% by 2045. Accelerating the 100% goal to 2030 will likely result in average annual electric bill increases above 4% which may be difficult for many Pasadena residents.
In order to help accelerate the purchase of renewables, PWP customers can opt into the Green Power program – For as little as $3.60 per month, you can help bring more renewable energy to Pasadena, and reduce the city’s dependence on fossil fuels.

“This effort is very important,” said State Assemblymember Chris Holden, “because what the community is saying is that we want our voice to be heard. We want those priorities that we believe need to be elevated within the city of Pasadena.”

“We want to make sure that within our city,” he continued, “that everything that can be done is being done to reduce carbon emissions, to set an ambitious goal, but a attainable goal that measures the same objectives that the state of California has in terms of moving towards a carbon-free utility grid and how we are making available utility resources and renewable energy to the citizens of Pasadena by 2045 or earlier.”

Holden added that, “It’s important that in Pasadena, if it needs to come through a referendum, the community is saying they’re prepared to do that.” “I believe the Council is mindful of these kinds of issues,” Holden added, “and supports them.”

Last April, Pasadena 100 sent a letter to Pasadena Water and Power requesting urgent action by the utility company to help address the current climate crisis.

In the letter, it asked PWP to acknowledge that “a climate emergency exists, that GHG emissions have caused the emergency, that fossil fuels are the cause of the vast majority of GHG emissions, and that severe climate-related risks to public health and safety confront Pasadena and the world.”

It also asked PWP to recommend to the City Manager and the City Council that Pasadena commit to the goal of 100% carbon-free power sourcing by 2030.

“We ask for an accelerated transition to 100% carbon-free energy by 2030 because changing PWP’s power sourcing is the most effective action that our city can take to reduce dangerous GHG emissions. It is also economically prudent,” the letter read.

US Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Pasadena, also signed the postcard. Chu told the enthusiastic crowd, “It’s so important to me to see you together to advocate for a better, cleaner, more sustainable future.”

Chu also told the crowd that Congress recently passed “the nation’s largest investment ever in fighting climate change and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions in the Inflation Reduction Act.”

Chu added that Congress “had to pass this bill because there is no question, from the heat waves and the drought that’s affecting the West to the hurricanes and flooding in the east, that we can no longer deny the ongoing consequences of climate change.

“It’s now part of our daily lives with long-term impacts on our physical, mental, and economic well-being,” she continued, “and that is why the Inflation Reduction Act is so momentous.”

Added Chu, “We can finally say that we made some progress in leaving this planet better for our grandchildren. The act commits $300 billion in all kinds of programs to work towards clean energy, including $60 billion for clean energy manufacturing right here in the United States, and it makes it easier for everyday citizens and businesses to install energy-efficient appliances and for working Americans to afford electric cars.”

Managing Editor André Coleman contributed to this report.