A California city is attempting to construct the state's final fossil-fueled power plant.

• Could Glendale, known for Walt Disney Imagineering and Brand Boulevard, be the final California city to construct a fossil-fueled power plant?
• The city's decision to invest in clean energy has angered residents and environmentalists who are urging the city to take action to slow the climate crisis.
• The discussion about the plant brings up a larger problem: how California can eliminate fossil fuels while still providing energy to its communities.

The construction of a fossil-fueled power plant in Glendale, a Los Angeles suburb known for Walt Disney Imagineering and Brand Boulevard, has sparked anger among residents and environmentalists who advocate for clean energy to mitigate the climate crisis.

The Grayson Power Plant in Glendale will receive $260 million for five new natural gas-powered generators, producing 93 megawatts of electricity, enough to power a midsize city, following the state's legislation mandating 100% clean energy by 2045.

The ongoing debate over the plant underscores a broader issue over how California must determine how to eliminate planet-warming fossil fuels while maintaining the provision of energy to communities, a task that utility providers contend will necessitate ongoing investment in natural gas. The electricity sector contributes approximately 16% of California's greenhouse gas emissions, as per the California Air Resources Board.

Environmentalists argue that the power plant, located near schools, childcare centers, and community centers, will increase greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbate poor air quality in a city already struggling with pollution. They contend that the plant will lock in more pollution for years to come and that investing in new generators is a waste as the state moves towards cleaner energy sources.

The proposed thermal generation by Glendale Water & Power, a local state-owned utility, would operate at only 14% capacity, significantly reducing pollution compared to the gas engines currently in use. The new generators would provide essential backup power for the city and operate during transmission line shutdowns to mitigate wildfire risk, as well as supply air conditioning during extreme heat waves.

The ‘bridge fuel’ argument for natural gas

The city council approved a temporary pause on purchasing gas-fired units until the end of the year, which environmental groups applauded as a step towards reducing emissions.

The general manager of Glendale Water & Power, Mark Young, stated that the delay was disheartening and did not take into account the significance of dependable thermal generation for the city during times when residents require backup power.

"I am responsible for ensuring that there is sufficient electricity available when it is required. I don't feel like the villainous wolf who enjoys thermal power generation; rather, I am passionate about dependable energy production." - Young.

Young stated that our portfolio ensures gas generators are only operational when necessary in case of an emergency, while attempting to strike a balance between environmental concerns and the residents' need for dependable and advantageous energy.

Glendale Water & Power is implementing 75 megawatts of battery energy storage at the power plant and working on a virtual power plant that would produce 28 megawatts of solar energy by installing solar panels and batteries at homes and apartments throughout the city as part of a broader assignment from the city to invest in clean energy.

The L.A. Basin's utility has reached its maximum capacity for clean energy options, primarily because of insufficient transmission capacity on power lines to import energy sources from outside the region.

We're not receiving recognition for our progressive vision, despite our efforts to promote clean energy," Young stated. "Natural gas is viewed as a stepping stone towards achieving 100% clean energy.

But environmental groups don’t buy it.

In 2018, over 400 residents demonstrated against the utility's plan to burn fossil fuels, but their concerns have not been fully addressed by the utility, according to Byron Chan, an associate attorney for Earthjustice.

It's astonishing that in 2022 we're still investing in fossil fuels despite the availability of clean energy options that are becoming more affordable and accessible, according to Chan.

Environmental groups contend that the proposed gas engines won't operate beyond 2045, making them stranded assets. However, Glendale Water & Power asserts that the utility will eventually be able to operate the units on green hydrogen, which is produced through the electrolysis of water powered by solar or wind and is still in its early stages.

The main dispute regarding the power plant is whether fossil fuel production contributes to resolving climate change, stated Morgan Goodwin, the senior director of Sierra Club's Los Angeles chapter and a Glendale resident.

If our elected leaders are willing to say 'No fossil fuels means no fossil fuels,' then that's the example of what we want to see nationally," Goodwin said. "However, the messaging we receive from the fossil fuel industry still emphasizes the benefits of bridge fuels. The answer is clearly no.

Goodwin stated that Glendale Water & Power and other utilities are being asked to undergo significant transformations in their operations. This is a chance for them to exhibit leadership and bravery.