An eco-awesome state, California just climbed a few notches on the green scale with the release of The Solar Foundation's National Solar Jobs Census 2011: A Review of the U.S. Solar Workforce. The report, released by Environment California, shows that CA boasts the most solar-related jobs in the U.S. more ›

The online survey of seven questions takes just five minutes, claims LADWP, and contains information on the department's current challenges, basic needs and options for strategic investments they could make over the next three years. more ›

It was a bright idea a century ago, but in 2011, California has another one: The 100-watt incandescent lightbulb is being phased out. "Beginning Jan. 1, the state began phasing out certain energy-sucking bulbs, federal standards the rest of the country will enact next year," the AP reports. more ›

Hundreds of Angelenos braved the wet weather Sunday morning to take part in 350 eARTh, the world's first-ever global climate art project visible from space. The installation at Los Angeles State Historic Park formed the shape of a "Solar Eagle Taking Flight," combining solar photovoltaic film sheets and copper, accented with people. more ›

The largest B2B Solar Power get together lights up the Convention Center this week and it's not just for engineering geeks, policy wonks, and solar contraptioneers. From 5:30-8:30 tonight, the entire event and exhibit hall opens to the general public for free and it should be worth taking advantage of whether you're curious about the latest solar-powered gadgets or just want the down-low on the latest renewable energy trends and policies. more ›

Welcome to the center of the sun. It might look like Southern California but it's not. It's the sun. And you live here now. But despite the ungodly hotness of the 100+ temperatures expected today, the DWP is urging people to conserve energy. more ›

Clean-tech firms seek to reuse a variety of rare, potentially toxic materials. New businesses emerge as manufacturers prepare for modules' end of life. In recent years the electronics industry has gained notoriety for creating an endless stream of disposable products that make their way at life’s end to developing countries... more ›

The LADWP is urging residents to reduce energy if possible because the 8,000-acre Crown Fire is burning in an area of one of the utility's power transmission lines. Although the line has not been damaged, it does pass through the Leona Valley where the blaze is located. The LADWP this morning minimized power imports on the line and began generating power at in-basin power plants to deliver energy to the City as a precaution. more ›

Angelenos are reacting to the hotter temperatures today by using more energy. So much, in fact, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power sent out a note urging conservation. "Any time energy demand exceeds this level we need to begin conserving wherever possible, while not jeopardizing anyone's health or safety," said Raman Raj, LADWP Chief Operating Officer. "Saving power not only conserves energy but also reduces the possibility of strain on power system infrastructure." Today, energy demand reached 5,268 megawatts. Tomorrow, when temperatures will exceed 100 degrees in the Valley, it's expected to reach up to 5,600. more ›

After the recent debates over renewable energy put Los Angeles into a position close to bankruptcy, a study released today says Los Angeles could garner 500 megawatts, or 3% of its energy needs, for $23 million a year with solar panels within Los Angeles. The plan would take 10 years. According to the report (.pdf), which was published by the Los Angeles Business Council and the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's recent plan only proposed 150 megawatts of local solar power. more ›

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's plan to raise electricity rates to build L.A.'s renewable energy portfolio to 20% by the end of the year and avoid a downgrade in LADWP's bond rating was rejected by the City Counil today. Next Tuesday, the council's Energy & Environment Committee will discuss rate hike recommendations that should be considered in the second version of the plan. A motion by Councilmember Richard Alarcon will also be discussed. His 12-point proposal includes transparency in the process, fairness to customers, protecting businesses, allowing for hardship exemptions and other factors to consider when increasing green power. more ›

During a Thursday meeting of the L.A. City Council Energy and Environment committee, members learned of the Department of Water & Power's plans to increase electricity rates by 37% over the next four years, according to the LA Times. Part of that includes Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's carbon surcharge, which could up customer's bills by 9% to 28% to increase the amount of renewable energy used in the city to 20% by the end of 2010. more ›

Once again, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's vision of a clean energy city is coming under fire. It's not the goal--have L.A. powered by 20% renewable energy by the end of 2010--it's the how you get there part, says the Los Angeles Times in an editorial today. more ›

A controversial plan to bring Los Angeles renewable energy from the desert has been shelved by Los Angeles Department of Water & Power officials, it was announced today, according to the San Bernardino Sun. Green Path North was a proposal that included seven possible routes to carry geothermal, wind and solar energy from the Salton Sea to Los Angeles County. more ›

Watch our Antonio Villaraigosa, Lancaster wants to become the alternative energy capital of the world. Today, the first residential vertical axis wind turbine system installed under new city regulations went into operation. "The City of Lancaster and our surrounding region enjoy an infinite supply of natural resources with the potential to produce alternative energy - namely, wind and sunlight," explained Mayor R. Rex Parris of his high desert Antelope Valley-located city. more ›

The end of Daylight Savings Time means more than just gaining an extra hour of sleep. To many, it's changing out fire alarm batteries and checking up on earthquake supplies. And now with water and energy conservation as a big theme in L.A., the LADWP is advising the public to not forget about adjusting automatic sprinklers as it could save you a citation. And considering that sunset will be at 5 p.m. tonight, you might want to change your lighting timer. more ›

The Department of Energy today released a list of awardees to receive stimulus funds for research on energy. 37 projects around the country were chosen because of their potential to "change the way we use and produce energy," the department said. Seven of those projects are in the state, two in Southern California. more ›

With a big smile on her face, North Hollywood resident Marta Duron has spent the last two evenings at North Hollywood Park. It's a first for her to be there after dark, but with newly installed solar lighting poles along the jogging path, she plans on taking advantage more often. "It makes it safer and more people are out at nighttime, even late at night" she said. "It's a major difference." more ›

Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. will help unveil 28 new solar-powered light poles at North Hollywood Park tonight. It is being touted as a green energy and safety improvement for the park, which abuts the east side of the 170 Freeway. At night, portions of the park are extremely dark as very little light bleeds in from the surrounding neighborhood. more ›

But don't get too excited, the money from the feds going to the transit line is not for extending it northbound towards Burbank airport or anything close to that. Today's announcement from is about reducing energy consumption. The White Explains in a press release: more ›

As firefighters get an upper hand on the Station Fire in portions of Acton, officials with the L.A. Department of Water & Power feel relieved enough to announce a decreased threat to two of their 500 KV lines. If those lines were to be cut off from the city's power grid, there was the potential of blackouts due to the mixture of hot weather with increased power consumption and reserve power plants not being able to handle that demand on energy. more ›

The Station Fire is not only threatening homes across the region and broadcast towers on Mount Wilson, but also the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's two 500 KV transmission lines northeast of the Acton. "These high-voltage power lines are critical to maintaining a steady supply of power to the city, especially as demand for energy rises throughout the day," the department made in a statement noting that all in-basin power plants have been activated to generate energy. more ›

For the second month in a row, Los Angeles as a whole--residents, businesses, government--have reduced water usage to record breaking levels, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today. Major strides in energy savings have also been made this year. more ›

Mayor Antonio Villaraigasa may want Los Angeles to be the greenest city in the country and San Francisco may be popularly referred to as one of the greenest, but when it comes to solar power, San Diego is king when it comes to California big cities, according to a report released by Environment California. The city leads with 2,267 solar roofs. By contrast, San Francisco has 1,493 with Los Angeles trailing behind at 1,432. "But when it comes to per capita installations, little Nevada City, Calif., topped the list, with nearly 1 in 5 households hosting a solar system," noted the LA Times. "City of Industry, outside Los Angeles, had the most capacity per capita, with 1.5 kilowatts installed per person. The bad news: Solar power still accounts for less than 1% of energy nationwide." more ›

It always felt like an obvious thing to do, but now we know the potential. According to state's Flex Your Power program, "if you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. And here’s the best part: most ceiling fans use less electricity than a light bulb. Remember to turn fans off when you leave the room, since they work by creating a breeze to cool people, not rooms." This tip comes from a list of seven easy tips, including a favorite of ours that a lot of people seem to forget about: "Closing the blinds or curtains on south or west-facing walls can cut down on solar heat gain during the day." more ›

Plans to build a $1 billion power plant in Carson--touted by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as the "cleanest and greenest" in the nation when it was announced in 2006--have just recently been "quietly abandoned," the Contra Costa Times reports, citing "inhospitable" ecological conditions at the proposed site, and "resistance from local environmentalists." more ›

Metro has done it again and this time broken a record for Los Angeles. Yesterday they unveiled the largest solar panel installation within the City of Los Angeles on top of their Support Services Center--basically a bus maintenance facility--in downtown. more ›

Long standing programs to help low-income individuals and families save money on their utility bills and to purchase energy-efficient appliances and equipment are not totally being taken advantage of by 900,000 Californians. That's why this week utility companies like Southern California Edison and LADWP are making an effort to push these programs. Basically, if your total household has a total income of less than a certain amount, you're eligible (see a chart and info here). And it's not based on last year's tax returns or any of that--if you recently lost your job, then your income is zero. Qualifying people can receive a 20 percent discount on their utility bills for electricity and gas. Another program will install energy-efficient appliances and equipment at no cost to eligible customers. And hey renters, this is for you, too. more ›

Los Angeles is one of the many global cities participating in Earth Hour tonight. The annual event, which seems to be gaining popularity with each year, calls for everyone to turn off any non-essential lights for just one hour, and that hour is tonight from 8:30-9:30 local time. more ›

Senator Dianne Feinstein has long been a champion of environmental causes, but now she may find herself pitted against one major faction of the movement as she launches a fight to designate a large portion of Southern California's desert as a national monument. more ›