School Board Approves Resolution Urging Electric Utilities Supplying District to Source 100% Carbon-Free Energy by 2030

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) approved a resolution recognizing global climate emergency and urging electric utilities that supply electricity to school sites to source 100% carbon-free energy by 2030.

All members of the board voted to approve Resolution No. 2690 during PUSD Board’s meeting last Thursday, December 15. 

The resolution recognizes that the current climate emergency threatens the health and safety of PUSD students and their families and stressed the importance of taking a stand on the issue on climate emergency as “many children in PUSD are not yet old enough to be able to participate in the governing structures that will enable them to preserve their futures by stopping the primary drivers of climate change.” 

It cited the World Health Organization’s findings that children are at higher risk of climate-related harm from poor air quality, heat, and water unavailability.

It also cited the National Institute of Health’s claim that climate change creates conditions such as smog and wildfire smoke that are detrimental to children’s health as well as the American Psychological Association’s claim that poor air quality has a correlation with lowered intelligence and cognitive skills, such as memory and attention.

Currently, a total of 20 PUSD schools are getting its electricity from the Pasadena Water and Power Department (PWP). In 2021, PWP, a public utility, reportedly sourced 53.5% of its electricity from burning fossil fuels.

A total of six PUSD schools are getting its electricity supply from Southern California Edison, an investor-owned utility, which in 2020 sourced at least 15.2% of its electricity from burning fossil fuels.

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the trustees of the Pasadena Unified School District will collaborate closely with council members of the City of Pasadena on carbon neutral goals for both the City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Unified School District; and be it further resolved that the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education urges Pasadena City Council, Pasadena Water and Power, and Southern California Edison to commit to sourcing 100% of its energy from carbon-free sources by 2030,” Resolution No. 2690 reads. 

The Board will present this resolution to the City Council at its joint meeting in March, 2023. 

The Los Angeles Unified School District Board in 2019 voted unanimously for a resolution calling for the district to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy electricity by 2040.