The Los Angeles Department of Power and Water, the nation’s largest municipal utility, is leaning green. Today the department is launching a “Green Power” program that will let customers get their energy from solar, wind, and biomass power for a 6 percent rate increase. In return, customers will get price breaks and rebates on energy-efficient appliances and long-lasting lightbulbs, which are expected to cut their energy usage and lower their electric bills overall. Unlike other similar programs, this one will use the money from “Green Power” customers to develop new clean energy sources rather than simply buying from existing ones.
