MOTION-- On August 21, 2020, the Department of Water and Power (DWP) was contacted by staff at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to inform DWP that data from recent airborne remote-sensing surveys of the LA basin conducted as part of its Greenhouse Gas monitoring program detected methane near the Valley Generating Station. The methane was observed during JPLs most recent overflights on July 16,2020, and August 7,2020, between the hours of 1 pm and 2 pm. Methane, a colorless, odorless gas that is the main component of natural gas, is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps the suns heat, warming the earth 86 times as much as the same mass of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. The Valley Generating Station is located in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, an area that has endured decades of environmental injustice. Neighborhoods in this region have suffered from discriminatory land-use practices, a lack of open space, and an overconcentration of polluting industries. The continued emissions from the Valley Generating Station require the City to take steps to mitigate the negative environmental impacts and establish restitution for the residents through a community amenities fund. The community should be involved in providing input for the use of such funds and use of funds should include providing immediate relief for people in the area.
I THEREFORE MOVE that the City Attorney, with assistance of the Chief Legislative Analyst, be requested to prepare and present an ordinance to create a Valley Generating Station Community Amenities Trust Fund for receipt of funds to be expended for residents who live within a 3 mile radius of the facility with expenditures to be approved by the Councilmember(s) representing this area.
I FURTHER MOVE that the Department of Water and Power and the Chief Legislative Analyst be instructed to identify potential sources of funding from the Department of Water and Power, state regulatory agencies, and other sources.
I FURTHER MOVE that the Department of Water and Power and the Chief Legislative Analyst be instructed to report back on utilizing the trust fund to provide immediate relief for low income residents living within 1 mile of the plant through things like indoor air purifiers and air conditioners for homes as well as upgrades to HVAC systems at schools and community facilities.