REAP Launches Grassroots Education Effort To End Dirty Coal Use In Pasadena

Pasadena, CA /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - The Renewable Energy Accountability Project (REAP), www.reapinfo.org has launched a public awareness campaign to fully inform Pasadena residents of the harmful effects of using dirty coal to generate electricity.

The Pasadena End Dirty Coal Electricity Educational Project will urge Pasadena to more aggressively phase-out its ownership interests, and 18 year contracts, for out-of-state coal generated electricity.

Although Pasadena's 2009 Integrated Resource Plan seeks to reduce current coal electricity usage to 23% by 2020, clearer and more consistent annual progress needs to be made.

Pasadena, through its municipally-owned utility -- Pasadena Water and Power -- obtains 59% of its electricity by burning dirty coal (recently this use rose to 61%). Pasadena retains a 4.4% interest in the Intermountain Coal Plant, located in Millard County Utah. In 2006, the Intermountain Coal Plant was the 20th largest CO2 polluter in the United States, out of 614 existing coal plants. Each year, the Intermountain Coal Plant emits the following pollutants: 16,035,530 tons of CO2; 28,911 tons of Nitrogen Oxides; 4,239 tons of Sulphur Dioxide; and 226 pounds of Mercury.

The time has come for Pasadena to lead California into a 21st Century clean energy future. Pasadena's use of dirty coal is a stain that can be removed with bold municipal leadership.

Respectfully, the Pasadena City Council, which serves as the governing board of Pasadena Water and Power, should establish a deadline to rapidly phase-out its dirty coal contracts and ownership interests in coal plants.

REAP's End Dirty Coal Project in Pasadena will feature town hall meetings and house meeting discussions to involve the community in seeking reasonable and effective solutions. Signatures will be gathered on petitions, and postcards for submission to the Pasadena City Council, urging that dirty coal use and investments in coal be phased-out as soon as possible. (REAP will open a local office in Pasadena this fall.)

"We have confidence in the public policy judgment, and civic pride of Pasadena's municipal leaders," said Jim Gonzalez, Chair of the Renewable Energy Accountability Project.

"Pasadena has the opportunity to boldly lead California toward a healthy energy future. Pasadena can switch to cleaner and affordable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and natural gas generated electricity." Gonzalez concluded.

Background Note: For California, 32% of the state's electricity is generated by burning coal. On July 2, 2009, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced plans for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to end its use of coal generated electricity by 2020. LADWP currently generates 44% of its electricity by burning coal. LADWP has a 44.6% interest in the Intermountain Coal Plant, and also operates the plant.

SOURCE Renewable Energy Accountability Project