Municipal Services Committee to Consider Optimized Strategic Plan

Pasadena could take another step toward its clean-energy goals Wednesday when the Municipal Services Committee considers recommending the city’s Optimized Strategic Plan (OSP) to the City Council.

The plan was created by Pasadena Water and Power with consultant Energy & Environmental Economics.

“The Optimized Strategic Plan marks a major milestone in Pasadena’s journey toward 100% carbon-free electricity,” said Chair Justin Jones. “I appreciate the residents who shared thoughtful public comment and the city team whose hard work made this plan possible. This is about building a sustainable, affordable, and reliable future for everyone in our community. I look forward to our discussion at the Municipal Services Committee.”

The OSP follows the City Council’s 2023 climate-emergency resolution calling for an end to carbon emissions from the city’s power supply while keeping rates affordable and service reliable by 2030. It lays out how Pasadena will meet that goal through new renewable-energy projects, battery-storage systems, and customer programs that help conserve power and shift energy use away from peak hours.

The plan focuses on five main priorities: adding more clean power such as solar, wind, and battery storage both locally and across the region; creating new rate and customer programs that reward people for saving energy and using power at off-peak times; limiting use of the Glenarm Power Plant, keeping it as a backup only until new clean-energy technology or expanded transmission is ready; upgrading power-delivery systems to improve reliability and reduce strain on the grid; and exploring new technology like long-duration energy storage and hydrogen power.

Two other goals support those priorities—building community partnerships with groups like Caltech, Pasadena City College, and the Pasadena Unified School District, and finding financial tools such as grants and municipal funding to keep rates stable.

Pasadena Water and Power plans to issue an all-source request for proposals for new renewable and storage contracts by the end of the year. So far, the utility has signed deals for more than 200 megawatts of new renewable power and 50 megawatts of storage, with more projects expected by 2030.

Major milestones include the operation of a 25-megawatt battery system at the Glenarm Power Plant in 2027, citywide installation of advanced smart meters by 2028, and a 50- to 100-megawatt battery project at the former Broadway Power Plant by 2030.

Once these projects are running, Pasadena Water and Power says Pasadena’s carbon-free resources will supply about 76 percent of hourly and 83 percent of annual electricity needs, putting the city on track to reach full carbon-free power by 2030.

Officials describe the Optimized Strategic Plan as a living document that will evolve with new technology and policies. Regular “Waypoint” reviews, beginning in 2028, will allow the City Council to measure progress and make adjustments as needed.