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.
Clean Power Will Come To LA From Massive New Mexico Wind Farm
The Red Cloud Wind Project in New Mexico will help power more than 200,000 homes in Los Angeles.
(
Pattern Energy
/
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
)
More than 120 huge, white wind turbines now span nearly 40,000 acres in rural New Mexico. Those turbines will help power about 223,300 homes in Los Angeles.
Officials with the L.A. Department of Water and Power, or LADWP, estimate that the shift will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as taking nearly 100,000 gas-fueled cars off our roads.
Located about 85 miles southeast of Albuquerque, it’s the largest renewable energy project the department oversees so far.
But some say the project puts unnecessary strain on fragile desert ecosystems and that money would be better spent on expanding energy sources closer to home, like rooftop and community solar projects.
Support for LAist comes from
“The main issue with that source of power is it’s not necessary,” said Jean Su, the director of the Energy Justice Program for environmental group Center for Biological Diversity. “Really the most important thing we can do right now from a justice perspective is get energy right from where folks live. Local decentralized energy is really important for both affordability and climate purposes.”
LADWP says the completion of the massive wind farm last month puts L.A. one step closer to it’s goal of getting all of the energy that fuels our homes and businesses from cleaner sources, like the sun and wind, by 2035, 10 years ahead of the statewide goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045.
The project was developed by California-based company Pattern Energy through an agreement with the Southern California Public Power Authority, which sells energy to LADWP.
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
-
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter. -
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500 -
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected. -
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi. -
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown. -
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding.
Best of LAist