What has been done so far? - At the direction of the Mayor, City Council, and the City’s blue print policy the RENEW LA report, in 2004, and BOS initiated a study to consider Alternative Technologies for the process of municipal solid waste to renewable energy and reduce our reliance on landfills. This study’s objective was to identify clean new methods that are environmentally friendly, energy efficient, socially acceptable and economical. This study determined that technologies do exist to process solid waste into a renewable energy sources and are commonly used in other countries. In 2005, city staff and elected officials visited some of these facilities in Europe to determine the viability of incorporating such technologies in the City of Los Angeles. This resulted in the next phase of the alternative technologies study moving forward in early 2006 with consultants hired to refine the technology selection process and screen potential development partners.

BOS released an RFP in February 2007 to select a technology and development partner to site and construct an Alternative Technology facility by 2010. As part of this effort technical consultants and public outreach consultants have been hired to support BOS staff in this effort and provide public education and information.