L.A. to turn sludge from treated wastewater into energy

Los Angeles city officials broke ground Thursday on a renewable energy project in San Pedro they touted as an innovative way to produce electricity for about 3,000 homes while saving money, reducing truck traffic on local roadways and cutting greenhouse emissions.

The renewable energy project calls for injecting spongy organic material left over from treated wastewater into depleted oil and gas reservoirs more than a mile underground.

"This renewable energy project is absolutely electrifying ... It will save money and make money." - Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles mayor