Activist Wants Capital Improvements Budget to Align With Climate Conservation Efforts Pasadena – Pasadena Now (2025)

A local activist is calling on the City Manager’s office to submit a CIP budget that includes more solar and carbon free projects.

Pasadena officials have unveiled a sweeping $1.25 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2025 through 2029, outlining ambitious plans to modernize the city’s aging infrastructure, public utilities, and civic facilities.

The proposal allocates more than $205 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2025 alone, with projects spanning from street repairs to water system upgrades and technology improvements designed to enhance public services.

The City Council and the Finance Committee met in a joint meeting on Monday to discuss the CIP budget.

“Climate change presents an existential threat to our community, and Pasadena must do everything possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition away from fossil fuels,” Cannady wrote. “Electrifying homes and expanding access to solar energy are critical components of this effort.”

Cannady urged Pasadena to take aggressive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting solar energy and electrifying homes.

Cannady is part of Pasadena 100.

Pasadena 100 is a coalition in Pasadena, California, advocating for the city to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030.

According to Cannady, residents are already burdened by high energy bills and recovering from climate-related disasters, and that the city must act now to invest in local renewable energy resources like solar power and battery storage.

Cannady criticized the plan to expand the GT5 gas plant, calling it outdated and environmentally harmful. She urged abandoning the GT5 expansion and redirecting those funds toward new solar and storage projects instead. She also emphasized the lack of investment in distributed energy programs, community solar initiatives, beneficial electrification, and workforce training for the clean energy economy.

“Pasadena residents are suffering from high bills and also are trying to recover from a climate disaster,” Cannady said. “The CIP should reflect a clear commitment to building out local clean energy resources and preparing the grid to support solar, battery storage and electrification.”

The Los Angeles Timesis aggressively building renewable energy capacity, but Cannady said Pasadena is falling behind and relying on outdated models. Cannady also criticized the $10.8 million budgeted for consultants to prepare another Integrated Resource Plan, arguing that the city should be acting now instead of studying.

Beyond energy issues, Cannady pointed out that the CIP underinvests in urban greening, sidewalk safety, and energy security for neighborhoods — while continuing expensive projects like Central Library upgrades. She called on the City to shift its focus to real climate action in the aftermath of recent disasters like the Eaton Fire.

“It is time to abandon the idea of expanding GT5. Instead, we should plan to replace local gas infrastructure with renewable resources, including rooftop solar and community solar projects, as well as energy storage projects.”