Los Angeles is a place of dreams and reinvention; a city which eschews the status quo and which embraces change, confident in the belief that transformation is both attainable and desirable. It is this spirit that converted a semi-arid desert into a bustling megalopolis of 4 million people and which has propelled LA into a leadership role in so many fields of human endeavor. LA has fermented many positive revolutions, culturally, politically and technologically.

It should come as no surprise then that LA finds itself at the forefront of a green revolution which is sweeping the country. The U.S. Conference of Mayors, which recently took place in LA, has cemented the leadership role of LA; cities across the nation are looking to the example of Los Angeles as they seek ways to reduce their respective carbon footprints.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has already staked LA’s claim, announcing that LA will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% below 1990 levels by 2030. The Mayor has also announced two crucial mandates for the diversification of the City’s energy portfolio to renewable resources: 20% by 2010 and 35% by 2020. This will move the City away from coal as a power generation source. Mayor Villaraigosa’s pronouncements expressed in the Mayor’s Climate Action Plan, surpass the stated goals of any other large American city and set the standard for others to emulate.

The accomplishment of the City’s environmental agenda has become in large measure, the charge of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the largest municipal utility in the country. The LADWP has already significantly changed course to meet the challenge of a green future. In fact, many of the top priorities of the LADWP Commission are principally environmental initiatives. These include the renewables portfolio standard, prioritizing green buildings, enhanced conservation of both water and electricity, greening the LADWP fleet of vehicles, environmental protections in the Owens Valley, water recycling, groundwater clean up, electrification of the Port of Los Angeles and participation in the Million Trees Initiative and in the restoration of the LA River.

In the past 20 months, since the new LADWP Commission (appointed by Mayor Villaraigosa) was empanelled, the LADWP has made substantial progress towards meeting its goals. For instance, the Department has tripled its renewable energy resources; adopted a policy to give priority service to green buildings which meet energy and water conservation requirements; reinvigorated the City’s solar rooftop program; and established a plethora of rebates and incentives to encourage energy and water conservation. Significant steps have also been taken to reenergize water reclamation and stormwater recharge programs and to remediate groundwater contamination.

At first glance, this looming tide of change may produce some apprehension in the business community. However, it is clear that we can no longer have “business as usual”. Energy diversification and energy and water conservation (which must necessarily include a revision of construction standards) are not environmental luxuries; they are economic and societal necessities. Further, upon closer study, it also becomes clear that this new green paradigm produces intriguing prospects for the business community. In many ways, the very purpose of the 2007 Sustainability Summit, sponsored by LADWP and hosted by the Los Angeles Business Council, is to explain this new atmosphere, to illuminate the business risks and rewards and to discuss how innovative businesses can make the inevitable profitable.

And, for the nimble and inventive, the green revolution presents a bonanza of opportunities. Recently, the LADWP promulgated a RFP for renewable energy projects. Under that RFP alone, LADWP will expend around $176 million per annum on renewables. The mandate to go to 20% by 2010 and then to 35% by 2020 will create many more openings for qualified entrepreneurs. Each year the LADWP awards contracts totaling approximately one billion dollars. Contracts for items such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and wind turbines are among those which reflect the LADWP’s strong commitment to expanding its supply of renewable energy along with other alternative power programs and energy efficiency measures.

Additionally, a brief visit to the LADWP website (www.ladwp.com) will reveal the economic benefits of conservation. Businesses may take advantage of the Commercial Lighting Efficiency Program that can reduce energy use and improve productivity in addition to the Chiller Program that can help lower cooling costs and reduces emissions. The LADWP also offers businesses free shade trees which help with energy reduction, water runoff, and improve air quality. Financial and technical assistance is available to businesses and also part of the LADWP’s commitment to a green future and its customers. In effect, businesses are being rewarded for reducing their own electricity and water bills!

Los Angeles intends to solidify its position as a center and incubator of green technologies, including renewable energy (wind, geothermal, solar, biomass, trash to energy, hydro), green construction, water reclamation, groundwater remediation, and stormwater recapture technologies.

If Los Angeles is to continue to grow and prosper, it must govern itself differently, in a way that is sustainable and environmentally responsible. This is the model which will, in turn, provide a solid foundation to spur a vibrant economy and produce the quality of life Angelenos deserve. In the bargain, green industries will flourish and many jobs will be created, and Los Angeles will again lead the nation with a new revolution; one that will bring both change and opportunity.