This Week’s News for LA’s Best Buildings
Los Angeles Leads the Nation in Solar Power Capacity
Los Angeles is capitalizing on one of its greatest assets: the sun. LA ranks first in the nation for installed solar photovoltaic capacity, according to the nonprofit Environment California Research and Policy Center’s eighth annual Shining Cities report released Tuesday. San Diego ranks second, with San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco and Riverside also placing in the top 20.
Los Angeles has led the nation among all surveyed cities for seven out of the eight reports. In 2017, San Diego briefly held the top spot. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power ranks first in municipal utilities for solar power.
California Injects $40 Million Into Heat Pump Water Heater Effort Amid Broader Push to Decarbonize Buildings
California's building sector contributes around a quarter of the state's greenhouse gas emissions, and regulators see heat pump water heating systems as a promising tool to reduce that. Heat pump systems tap into the electric grid to heat water, and as the state's electricity mix grows cleaner, they can offer a cleaner and more efficient alternative to natural gas water heating, according to the CPUC.
Mayor Eric Garcetti Delivers His Final State of the City Address, Highlights Some Goals
During his speech, the mayor discussed the most pressing needs of the city and ways to address it in his budget. They include keeping the city safe and clean, increasing housing, housing the homeless and addressing the climate emergency.
"My goal is to hand over a city budget to our council that is stronger than ever. An infrastructure program unequaled in our nation and a pathway to house our people and save our planet with the urgency that this moment demands," Garcetti exclaimed.
What SEC’s Proposed Climate Disclosure Rule Could Mean for Real Estate Companies
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed new rule on climate disclosure, which would require registered companies to report both their greenhouse gas emissions and financial risks posed by climate change to their businesses, could have a major impact upon the real estate sector, according to experts.
Affordable Housing Lags Behind in Decarbonization Programs
The affordable housing sector stands to miss out on the many benefits of electrification and decarbonization, as few utility programs target its particular needs and challenges, according to a report released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
The research shows that utilities are starting to support home electrification—essential for reducing climate-warming emissions—but still have few programs to help the affordable housing sector. Such existing programs tend to be single demonstration projects or pilot programs, not full-scale programs serving large customer populations.
Image via Environment California