Should Los Angeles Go Geothermal? Infographic Points To Yes

Screengrab of infographic.

GOOD released a charmingly designed interactive infographic detailing renewable energy sources in the U.S. It states that only about 8% of the energy Americans use comes from renewable sources. Below is the breakdown of the renewable resources Americans use most plus estimated costs to generate electricity per kilowatt hour.

Biomass: 50% at .09 dollars/kWh.

Wind: 9% at .06 dollars/kWh.

Geothermal: 5% at .05 dollars/kWh.

Solar Power: 1% at .14 dollars/kWh.

Geothermal energy proves cheapest, yet the U.S. uses it less than both wind and biomass, which are both slightly more expensive.

Los Angeles met its 2010 goal of providing 20% of the city's power from renewable sources, largely thanks to the Pine Tree Wind Power Plant in the Tehachapi Mountains. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa warned Angelenos in early 2010 that wind power may contribute to slightly higher DWP bills.

Villaraigosa declared a new mission after this milestone. By 2020 the city should ween itself off the coal-habit and be at 40% renewable energy.

Renewable energy consumption is rising steadily, and GOOD says that the largest increases are in biofuels, hydroelectric power and wind. Los Angeles has made strides in the latter, but judging by the costs displayed in the infographic, perhaps geothermal is the way to go to help keep Angeleno's wallets a bit more plump.