Pasadena took another step toward carbon-free electricity this week with the approval of a formal plan to achieve the goal by 2030.
The City Council on Monday unanimously approved the Optimized Strategic Plan, wich officials described as “a forward-looking framework that will guide Pasadena Water and Power to meet the goals of Resolution 9977, sourcing 100% of Pasadena’s electricity from carbon-free resources by the end of 2030.” Officials also hope to optimize affordability, rate equity and service reliability while realizing the goal.
“This is a defining moment for Pasadena’s energy future. The Optimized Strategic Plan reflects our community’s values and our shared commitment to climate action,” PWP General Manager David Reyes said in a statement. “We thank the City Council for their leadership and support in adopting this plan, which will guide our decisions and ensure transparency as we move forward in achieving Pasadena’s clean energy goals. The OSP is the result of extensive collaboration, thoughtful analysis, and meaningful community engagement.”
For more than a decade, Pasadena has exceeded California’s renewable energy mandates, officials said. These latest guidelines for switching to clean energy stem from PWP’s December 2023 Power Integrated Resource Plan, which called for the city-owned utility to develop the optimization plan “to operationalize the policy goals into clear, actionable steps.”
The OSP highlights strategies to pursue goals set in Resolution 9977, which the council adopted in early 2023. Officials said the aim is to best position Pasadena to achieve carbon-free electricity while maintaining reliability and limiting cost increases for PWP customers.
“The plan emphasizes expanding local solar generation, investing in clean community-owned projects, and modernizing infrastructure to support a resilient and sustainable energy future,” according to the city. “Shaped by input and coordination among City Council, staff, technical experts, and the community, the OSP brings together policy coordination, technical modeling, fiscal responsibility, and stakeholder perspectives into a single implementation strategy.”
For additional information and to access the Optimized Strategic Plan, go to PWPweb.com/OSP.
PWP provides electricity to over 65,000 customers in Pasadena and water to nearly 38,000 households and businesses in Pasadena and nearby communities in the San Gabriel Valley, according to the city.