Cities Choose Renewable Energy Sources

Oakland, Santa Monica and Palmdale have become the first cities in the state to choose "green power."

1 minute read

June 30, 2000, 7:45 AM PDT

By Laura Kraft


Several California cities have used their municipal clout to choose energy which comes from renewable sources. Santa Barbara, San Jose and Santa Cruz are next in line to choose this option. The additional costs are negligible -- Oakland is expected to pay an additional $100,000 on its $4 million electricity bill. In California, about 12% of electricity comes from renewable sources, much higer than the national average. However, in a twist of irony, the power "green" cities use isn't necessary generated by renewable sources, since all power (from convenetional and renewable sources) goes into an overall pool. Promoters say that buying green increases the market demand for energy from renewable sources.

Thanks to Laura Krafft

Thursday, June 29, 2000 in The Los Angeles Times

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