LA Kicks Coal to the Curb! Second-Largest U.S. City Officially 100% Coal-Free!

TL;DR: Los Angeles just did the impossible: it officially cut ties with coal, making it the second-largest U.S. city to go 100% coal-free! That's right, the city of angels is shining even brighter, powered by sunshine, wind, and soon, green hydrogen. Take that, dirty energy! Woohoo!

Meta: Los Angeles is now 100% coal-free, as its last coal-fired power plant, Intermountain Power Project, ceased operations, marking a major clean energy milestone.

Alright, folks, listen up, because Los Angeles just proved that when it comes to clean energy, they ain't messing around! The city that brought you Hollywood blockbusters and endless sunshine just added another feather to its cap: it's officially 100% coal-free! That's right, the Intermountain Power Project (IPP) in Utah, the last coal-fired power plant supplying the second-largest U.S. city, went offline just before Thanksgiving. It's like a turkey dinner, but instead of carving a bird, they carved out dirty energy! Can I get a round of applause?!

For decades, IPP's massive units powered Southern California, supplying a significant chunk of LA's electricity. But now, for the first time, none of LA's power comes from coal. It's a huge step towards Mayor Karen Bass's ambitious goal of 100% clean energy by 2035. Even with a little political hiccup from Utah (who apparently wanted to keep the old coal units online, bless their hearts, nobody's buying 'em!), LA is full steam ahead into a cleaner, greener future.

Hydrogen Hopes & Solar Dreams: The IPP Renewed Plan

But LA ain't just turning off the lights; they're turning on something new and improved! The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is transitioning to newly built, hydrogen-capable generating units at the very same IPP location. These new units are running on natural gas for now, but they're designed to burn a blend of natural gas and up to 30% green hydrogen, eventually aiming for 100% green hydrogen by 2026. That's right, folks, clean hydrogen – the energy of the future! It's like a phoenix rising from the ashes, but instead of feathers, it's got electrons.

To hit that 2035 goal, LA is throwing serious cash into solar, wind, battery storage, and local programs. One of their biggest wins? The Eland Solar-plus-Storage Center, a massive project that combines 758 megawatts of solar with a whopping 300 MW/1,200 MWh of battery storage. That beast can power over 260,000 Los Angeles households, pushing LADWP's power supply past 60% clean energy in 2025. It's like having your own personal sun and battery pack, all wrapped up in a pretty, clean energy bow.

A Global Trend: Renewables on the Rise

LA's coal-free status is not just a local win; it's part of a global trend. Renewables are generating more power than coal worldwide, signaling a massive shift in how we fuel our planet. This isn't just about saving the polar bears; it's about reliable, diversified, and affordable energy. No more reliance on dirty, price-fluctuating fossil fuels. It's about taking control of our energy future, and LA is leading the charge.

This kind of leadership is what we need. It shows that with vision, investment, and a little bit of political will, we can kick old habits to the curb and embrace the clean energy revolution. And when the second-largest city in the U.S. does it, you know it's a big deal. The air's gonna be cleaner, the bills might be lower, and the future's looking brighter. What's not to love?

What’s Next

LA's journey to 100% clean energy by 2035 will continue to be a model for other major cities. Expect further investments in renewable energy projects, particularly in green hydrogen infrastructure and large-scale battery storage. The transition of the Intermountain Power Project to fully hydrogen power will be a key milestone to watch, demonstrating the feasibility of advanced clean energy solutions at utility scale. This ain't just a win; it's a blueprint.

So, if you're ever in LA, take a deep breath. That's the sweet smell of progress, baby! Clean air, clean money, can't lose!