Los Angeles Achieves a Landmark in Clean Energy by Eliminating Coal
LOS ANGELES (December 4, 2025) – The City of Los Angeles has reached a pivotal milestone in its journey towards a sustainable future, as it has now fully divested from coal in its power supply. This significant move aligns with the City’s goals to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2035, marking a new chapter in environmental stewardship and climate leadership.
“This is a defining moment for the City of Los Angeles. L.A.’s coal divestment is not just about discontinuing the use of coal to power our city — it’s about building a clean energy economy that benefits every Angeleno,” stated Mayor Karen Bass. The transition is supported by substantial investments in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, alongside initiatives to enhance EV charging infrastructure.
Adrin Nazarian, Chair of the Council’s Energy and Environment Committee, emphasized, “Eliminating the dirtiest form of greenhouse gases from our electrical system is a victory for our City, for our children, and for our planet.” He highlighted L.A.’s unique position as a self-powered city, enabling it to lead in clean energy initiatives.
Janisse Quiñones, LADWP CEO, acknowledged the collective efforts behind this transition, noting the extensive work and leadership that culminated in this achievement. Mary Leslie, President of the Los Angeles Business Council, described retiring coal units at the Intermountain Power Project (IPP) as a major step towards a fully carbon-free future.
Evan Gillespie from Industrious Labs reflected on the broader implications, stating, “At a moment when so much we cherish is under attack in the city, the transition away from coal to clean energy is a beacon of hope and a model for the country.”
Matt Petersen, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, expressed gratitude for the city’s efforts, underscoring the importance of renewable energy progress ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As of last week, the LADWP no longer sources coal-fueled energy from Utah’s IPP facility, marking the end of coal in Los Angeles’ energy mix. This transition follows the earlier divestment from Arizona’s Navajo Generating Station in 2016. The newly constructed hydrogen-capable units at IPP now operate on natural gas with plans to integrate green hydrogen by 2026.
The IPP Renewed facility’s advancements are integral to achieving the City’s 2035 clean energy target. Efforts include expanding solar, energy efficiency, and customer demand response initiatives.
The summer of 2025 saw another milestone with the completion of the Eland Solar-plus-Storage Center, one of the largest solar and battery storage projects in the nation, enhancing LADWP’s clean energy output to over 60 percent.
Building on the groundwork laid by previous administrations, Mayor Bass continues to drive significant investments in renewable energy, fulfilling the promise made by former Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa and Eric Garcetti to transition away from coal entirely by 2025.
Original Story at www.ladwpnews.com