As the nation’s leaders grapple with one of the most pressing issues of our time—climate change—water and power utilities have a special responsibility to protect and foster the sustainability of our precious natural resources. LADWP, the nation’s largest municipal utility, embraces this responsibility as we strive to foster environmental sustainability while providing reliable, affordable electricity and water to more than 4 million people in Los Angeles.

Since its inception, the LADWP has taken pride in its ability to provide reliable water and power supplies to a growing city. LADWP has dramatically increased its renewable energy mix and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while keeping rates for customers low. Compared to other utilities in Los Angeles County, our rates remain 10% to 30% lower than investor-owned utilities. Today, as historic water resources are diminished and we transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner, greener alternative energy sources, the regulatory and financial challenges we face are significant. The Sustainability Action Plan is based on the LADWP’s “Long Term Strategy - Building a New Los Angeles”. It also documents LADWP’s sustainability initiatives and accomplishments. A greener LADWP represents the vision of environmental leadership set forth by the Mayor and the Board of Water and Power Commissioners as well as their commitment to embrace sustainability in all facets of the utility’s operations.

Customers, employees, elected leaders, and other stakeholders all have a role to play in transforming our sustainable goals into success stories. LADWP welcomes your input and appreciates your support as we move forward together to create a greener, more sustainable Los Angeles.

LADWP encourages you to provide feedback on our sustainability efforts by sending an email to [email protected]. One way you can participate in sustainability efforts is by using a carbon calculator which allows you to calculate your own carbon footprint and begin designing your personal sustainability strategy. Go to carbon calculator.

Building a New Los Angeles

In June 2010, the “Water & Power Long Term Strategy – Building a New Los Angeles” was presented as the new strategic plan, which establishes a number of goals for the LADWP, including the following: 

  • Outline priorities for power, water and customer service
  • Develop an engineering and financial plan to implement priorities
  • Identify financial resources to fund water and power projects
  • Engage and inform city hall, customers, and other constituents

The plan specifically calls on the LADWP to maintain a leadership role as we improve the environmental sustainability of our operations. LADWP has long been committed to sustainable practices and stewardship of the environment, both in terms of the energy and water resources that it generates, conveys, and supplies to customers, and in its practices as an organization of more than 9,000 employees. LADWP manages a vast network of water and power resources, facilities and operations throughout the Los Angeles region, the Owens Valley, other parts of California, and the western United States.

Sustainability Strategies

Sustainability means meeting the needs of current generations without impairing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability is an important strategy for the long-term health of the people, economy, and environment of California. LADWP’s sustainability strategies include the following:

  • Reduce our dependence on fossil-based energy supplies
  • Develop and increase the use of renewable energy resources
  • Implement the city’s green building policies at all LADWP facilities
  • Review practices for opportunities to improve overall operational sustainability and streamline with strategic plans
  • Engage and educate our customers to take a more active role in assessing their own energy and water use, and adopting personal sustainability habits
  • Monitor, measure, and continually improve our sustainability practices
  • Develop and increase the use of reclaimed water and preserve local water supply

Mayor’s Executive Directive Number 10

A Vision for a Green L.A. and the Nation’s Largest Green Municipal Utility

The time has arrived when people consider how they can meet their daily needs without compromising a desirable future for the next generations. Individuals and groups across Los Angeles and California are calling upon local governments to enact policies and take actions that are aligned with the principles and concepts of sustainability. Local government officials must play their part in reinventing our institutions to help communities and residents achieve these goals.

With the intent of transforming Los Angeles into the cleanest and greenest big city in the country, Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa issued directives for Los Angeles City Departments to follow well-accepted principles and concepts of sustainability. On July 18, 2007, the Mayor issued Executive Directive Number 10, requiring all City Departments to adopt Sustainability Plans to guide their respective functions, practices and policies. These departments are reporting on their efforts to improve internal behaviors, such as reducing waste and recycling all appropriate products, as well as incorporating environmental sustainability into their programs for constituents.

City Council Directives

Along with Mayoral leadership for a sustainable Los Angeles, the Los Angeles City Council is actively engaging City departments in putting Los Angeles on the path to a greener future. Directives have been issued on a wide-ranging list of operational aspects of the city, such as:

  • Water conservation and a number of ordinances resulting from the directives
  • Street lighting and the transformation from power-fed poles to fuel cells and more sustainable LED lighting
  • Use of renewable energy in Los Angeles with a special focus on available resources including solar energy and installation of roof-top solar panels
  • Green buildings and the desire to retrofit buildings to be more energy efficient, and to construct new buildings with LEED certification as a goal
  • Fleets (fuel efficiency, lower emission vehicles/fuels)

We invite your participation in our public meetings and comment processes. To follow news of LADWP activities, go to LADWP News.