By Kelly Fraenkel
Staff Writer
The Manhattan Beach City Council joined the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) upper tier and established 2021 as the year to provide residential and commercial users in Manhattan Beach with 100-percent renewable energy.
The official shift to renewable energy began in November 2020 when the City Council confirmed its participation in this initiative with a 4 to 1 vote in favor of switching to “Green Power.” The city will be working on this implementation throughout the year until October 2021, when 100-percent renewable energy is expected to be the default, according to information provided to the community on the City of Manhattan Beach’s website.
“I’m very glad the council recognizes how important this issue is,” senior Kieran Malik said. “Hopefully this is just the first of many steps we take toward preserving our planet and our future.”
The Clean Power Alliance is a nonprofit energy program composed of 32 public organizations. Manhattan Beach joined the Clean Power Alliance in 2017 but remained under the “Clean Power” tier that supplies 50-percent renewable content until this year. Opting into the Alliance will decrease greenhouse gas emissions throughout Manhattan Beach by around 45 metric tons annually, but will drive electric bills up by roughly 7 to 9 percent, according to data provided by the city.
“Switching to renewable [energy] will cause less pollution since we are not burning fossil fuels into the atmosphere,” AP Environmental Science teacher Karl Kurz said. “Instead, we are using the energy provided by the sun.”
The 100-percent renewable tier utilizes nonpolluting energy sources, such as solar, hydroelectric and wind power. Regional scientists and city staff members are working together on a “Climate Ready MB” action plan. In their findings, they reported that with the current rates of climate change, Manhattan Beach could lose 48 percent of its beach by the end of the 21st century as a result of rising sea levels.
“I love that we are moving toward wind and solar power,” senior Brynn Shapiro said. “Since fossil fuels are both nonrenewable and a large contributor to the polar molecules in our atmosphere that trap heat, renewable energy is a much more sustainable alternative.”
Businesses and residents still have the ability to opt out or choose a lower energy tier, such as “Clean Power,” which provides 50-percent renewable energy, or “Lean Power,” which provides 36-percent renewable energy.
“I think now more than ever it is important to address environmental concerns that are associated with climate change,” Shapiro said. “I’m glad that Manhattan Beach is working toward a brighter, more sustainable future and that our community is being proactive and working toward a better future for the environment.”
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