The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has acquired eight new natural gas-powered aerial boom trucks to aid in tree trimming operations. The purchase was made possible through a $240,000 state grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC).
By replacing older diesel-powered trucks with alternative fuel vehicles, LADWP aims to reduce air emissions and improve the quality of life for citizens of Los Angeles. The department already operates one of the city’s largest plug-in fleets. This transition results in a significant reduction of approximately 4.29 million pounds of CO2 emissions annually.
The grant was obtained through the MSRC’s program for Medium & Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Vehicles. LADWP qualified for a maximum contribution of $30,000 per vehicle and placed the order for the CNG trucks in September 2020.
Katherine Rubin, Director of Environmental Affairs at LADWP, highlighted the positive impact on increasing the department’s clean fuel fleet and reducing CO2 emissions. She also mentioned the importance of addressing transportation-related pollution as a significant contributor to the smog in Los Angeles.
Furthermore, LADWP is committed to other sustainability initiatives. The John Ferraro Building, their downtown LA headquarters, achieved LEED Zero Energy certification in 2019, making it the first building in California to do so.
Source: LADWP
