DWP PUSHES GREEN-POWER PLANS.Byline: Dan Laidman Staff Writer The new Board of Water and Power Commissioners pressed ahead Tuesday with its vow to bolster the utility's ``green power'' portfolio, hearing suggestions from critics of its renewable energy Renewable energy utilizes natural resources such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat, which are naturally replenished. Renewable energy technologies range from solar power, wind power, and hydroelectricity to biomass and biofuels for transportation. plan. The panel, which has said it wants to accelerate a state goal of 20 percent renewable energy by 2017, heard complaints about the way the Department of Water and Power issues contracts and about the commitment of past officials to environmental concerns. ``If you really want to make this a success you can, but it will require rethinking how you do your business,'' said John White, executive director of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies. The workshop, which included dozens of policymakers, environmentalists and representatives of renewable energy-related firms, marked the start of a process that will eventually go to neighborhood councils Neighborhood councils are governmental or non-governmental bodies composed of local people who handle neighborhood problems. They can be found in many cities throughout the world. and the highest levels of city government. ``This is our opportunity to begin looking forward,'' said commission President Mary Nichols. Renewable sources currently make up about 5 percent of the DWP's portfolio, said Henry Martinez, head of the utility's power system. The renewable sources the DWP DWP Department of Work and Pensions (UK) DWP Drinking Water Program DWP Dynamic Weapon Pricing (gamin, Counter-Strike: Source) DWP Department of Water & Power DWP Drinking Water Protection is considering adding include biomass, geothermal ge·o·ther·mal also ge·o·ther·mic adj. Of or relating to the internal heat of the earth. ge , hydroelectric, solar and wind power. Councilman Greig Smith Greig Smith is a Los Angeles City Councilman, representing the 12th District, which includes Granada Hills, Northridge and other parts of the Western San Fernando Valley. Smith is also a reserve officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. touted biomass, particularly waste-to-energy programs that he has advocated as a replacement for urban landfills such as Sunshine Canyon in Granada Hills. Smith told the DWP board that the council would support its efforts. ``Wind generation makes a lot of sense in my district,'' said the northwest San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. representative. Discussion about an ongoing wind energy project illustrated some of the obstacles the DWP faces. The Pine Tree Wind Project, which will harness breezes with turbines as tall as the Statue of Liberty Statue of Liberty great symbolic structure in New York harbor. [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 284] See : America Statue of Liberty perhaps the most famous monument to independence. [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 284] See : Freedom and as wide as an airplane's wingspan, began in 2002 but will not be completed until 2007, a time span that troubled the commissioners. Martinez blamed the delay on the environmental review and permitting process, as well as still-pending legal challenges. Dan Laidman, (213) 978-0390 dan.laidman(at)dailynews.com |
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