Pico Rivera wins state award for energy program

An aerial view of solar panels installed on top of Extra Space Storage on Monday, March 2, 2026 in Pico Rivera. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

PICO RIVERA — Pico Rivera has received a statewide award for its locally governed electricity program, which gives the city a role in choosing the power supplied to residents and businesses.

The Institute for Local Government named Pico Rivera a 2026 Beacon Leadership and Innovation Award winner in the innovation in energy category. The institute announced the honor Friday following the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo.

The award recognizes Pico Rivera Innovative Municipal Energy, or PRIME, a community choice aggregation program. According to the institute, PRIME was established to give the city greater control over energy decisions while pursuing cleaner electricity, competitive rates and programs tailored to local customers.

Pico Rivera’s Beacon program profile says PRIME’s goals also include reducing greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy purchases and more efficient energy use. The city says those efforts could improve local air quality and support its broader development goals.

Pico Rivera also received a Beacon Spotlight Award for its sustainability practices. Its profile lists the city at the program’s platinum level for sustainability best practices.

“California cities work every day to mitigate climate impacts and make their communities safer and healthier for the residents they serve,” said Erica L. Manuel, the institute’s CEO and executive director.

Fresno, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo and Costa Mesa also received Leadership and Innovation Awards this year for programs involving climate resilience, transportation and electrification. The institute’s Beacon Program recognizes voluntary efforts by local governments to save energy, reduce emissions and adopt sustainability policies.