The Los Angeles City Council directed staffers Wednesday to look into strategies to help some of the city’s hungriest water and energy users rein in their consumption.
Just 4 percent of buildings in Los Angeles represent half of the city’s electrical usage based on a UCLA analysis referenced by Councilmen Bob Blumenfield and Jose Huizar.
The council approved their motion calling for creation of a committee of stakeholders, including building owners, to develop ideas, such as financial assistance, incentive programs, regular monitoring and expansion of existing programs to improve building practices.
“By working collaboratively with our city’s largest consumers of water and energy, we are creating a force multiplier that will reduce Los Angeles’ overall use while saving businesses and taxpayers money,” Blumenfield said.
Huizar said the city “can tailor programs to support conservation at high electricity use sites” to meet energy conservation goals.
Mayor Eric Garcetti has set goals to cut water consumption in Los Angeles by 20 percent by 2017 and rollback energy use by 15 percent by 2020.
Cutting energy and water use could contribute to lower power and water bills, higher property values, greater quality of life and the creation of green jobs, the motion’s backers said, while the lowered stress on water and power systems would aid the city’s recovery following natural disasters.
— City News Service