Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Al Gore Joins Villaraigosa in Supporting Carbon Surcharge, Garcetti Not Happy With Mayor's Bankruptcy Ploy
Photo by clownfish via Flickr
()
Photo by clownfish via Flickr
As expected, former Vice President Al Gore praised Mayor Villaraigosa for his carbon surcharge, which would, in part, move Los Angeles to be using 20% renewable energy by the end of this year. The plan, which the Mayor says will only increase bills a few bucks for the majority of residents, was approved by the Board of Water and Power Commission last week.
“The Carbon Reduction Surcharge is one of the most forward-thinking clean energy plans I have ever seen,” said former Vice President Gore via satellite from his home in Nashville. “Not only does it create a trust fund to invest in clean, green energy, but it will also create jobs and kick-start the green economy in LA. I hope the Los Angeles City Council supports this Carbon Reduction proposal. Los Angeles' efforts and the Mayor's leadership in fighting for and investing in America’s clean energy future should be applauded.”
The City Council, however, voted to assert jurisdiction over the matter, a move based on law that enables them to either approve or deny--note, they cannot amend the surcharge plan--decisions by the Board of Water & Power Commission. Before the council discussed asserted jurisdiction on Tuesday, Villaraigosa's office sent a memo to councilmembers outlining what denying could mean for the city. Basically, bankruptcy.
Support for LAist comes from
Council President Eric Garcetti, who supports clean energy, responded with strong words, calling the memo "a gun to our head." "Some of the language we received in a briefing is clumsy and condescending. Don't tell us that the quickest that we're going to go bankrupt is to turn this away." But he also warned against myths, such as the surcharge being a raise for overpaid workers. "That's a lie," he stated, continuing to outline the surcharge's other purposes. "This is about more than just clean energy, it's also about making sure we have a financially strong utility." Approving the surcharge would help the LADWP's bond rating.
Mary Nichols, the Chair of the California Air Resources Board also joined Gore in supporting the surcharge, noting how it fits into AB32, which mandates clean energy or faces heavy fines. Villaraigosa says those fines could reach into the hundreds of millions. Nichols said "reducing greenhouse gases under AB32 cannot be achieved without a coordinated and consistent effort of those in all economic sectors and with government at all levels. The California Air Resources Board has made it a priority to work with local governments to promote broad-scale planning and early actions to reduce emissions."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist