Pasadena Water and Power's state-mandated 2025 Power Content Label shows the electricity it delivered grew much dirtier last year, with carbon intensity rising to 946 pounds of CO2e per megawatt-hour, up from 535 in 2024.
That jump followed the Eaton Fire, when a transmission problem left the city relying on a gas plant to keep electric service dependable.
Here's what to know
Compared with the statewide utility average of 384 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per megawatt-hour, Pasadena's 2025 label of 946 is far higher, according to Pasadena Now.
The city's 2024 label was 535, and its 2023 label was 835.
David Reyes, Pasadena Water and Power's general manager, explained that the Eaton Fire directly caused the increase.
"After the Eaton Fire, Southern California Edison temporarily de-energized one of the transmission lines coming into the City and therefore we ran Glenarm Power Plant to maintain system reliability," Reyes said, per Pasadena Now.
Glenarm generally sits unused for much of the year.
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City leaders have approved a goal of reaching 100% carbon-free electricity by the end of 2030.
More background
Pasadena stands at 46% for 2025 under the separate Renewables Portfolio Standard and is expected to meet California's 50% requirement in 2026.
The Power Content Label, by contrast, is a backward-looking measure of electricity that has already been generated.
Pasadena's power mix is also affected by the Intermountain Power Project in Utah, which has long supplied the city and other participating agencies.
That project is transitioning from coal to natural gas through 2027, and Pasadena's contract for the fossil fuel share ends in June 2027.
Because the T.M. Goodrich Receiving Station is Pasadena's only connection to the state grid, a disruption there can force greater reliance on Glenarm's gas generation to keep power flowing.
The Eaton Fire highlighted that vulnerability in the council-approved Optimized Strategic Plan.
What's being done?
Under Resolution 9977, adopted Jan. 30, 2023, Reyes said Pasadena still expects to get 100% of the city's electricity from carbon-free resources by the end of 2030 while maintaining rate equity, stability, affordability, and grid reliability.
He noted that Pasadena Water and Power is pursuing longer-term work on the Goodrich intertie, though the project is likely to take years to finish.
Sandy Krasner, an Altadena resident, retired Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer, and leader of the Pasadena-Foothills chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby, asked the utility to include projected labels for each year through 2030 in its quarterly progress reports, Pasadena Now reported.
He said the 2026 label should improve because Intermountain ended coal generation in 2025.
For customers seeking immediate savings while Pasadena works through that transition, Palmetto could provide a major financial buffer. With Palmetto's help, the average Southern California resident can save 40% on their electric bills, which can total thousands of dollars per year. That makes the company's $0-down offer especially timely as the city pursues cleaner and more reliable power.
In Krasner's view, the city's fossil fuel share is "not quite where we would like it to be."
Where can I learn more?
For a broader look at how California utilities are dealing with gas dependence, wildfire disruptions, and grid reliability, start with these stories.
• Officials are betting on home batteries to rein in power bills and gas-plant use.
• In Los Angeles, some Palisades fire survivors still don't have power even after rebuilding their homes.
• Edison customers could pay hundreds of millions more after wildfire legislation stalled.
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