Pasadena Officials to Review $243.7 Million in Fiscal Year 2027 Project Funding

City Council and Finance Committee to discuss 5-year capital improvement plan with focus on carbon-free energy investments

Apr. 20, 2026 at 11:36am

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An extreme close-up of heavy, industrial electrical equipment and machinery, conveying the scale and complexity of Pasadena's electric grid infrastructure without using any text or identifiable real-world elements.Pasadena's ambitious plan to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030 will require significant investments in upgrading and modernizing its electric grid infrastructure.Pasadena Today

Pasadena city officials will meet on Monday to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program budget, which includes $243.7 million in recommended appropriations for 108 projects across the city. The plan outlines long-term spending on facilities, public works, and municipal systems, with a significant focus on Pasadena Water and Power's $793.7 million in proposed carbon-free energy investments to help the city reach 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030.

Why it matters

The capital improvement program serves as a crucial long-range planning tool for Pasadena, identifying infrastructure needs and guiding future investment decisions. The focus on carbon-free energy projects reflects the city's ambitious climate goals and commitment to transitioning its electric grid to renewable sources.

The details

The Recommended Fiscal Year 2027-2031 CIP Budget contains 228 active projects with a total estimated cost of $3.28 billion. Of that, Pasadena Water and Power has proposed $793.7 million in projects that either directly produce carbon-free energy or build the infrastructure needed to deliver it. This includes $90 million for a municipal-owned solar program, $38 million for the Broadway Energy Storage project, and $28.2 million for Glenarm Energy Storage. Other major PWP projects include $73.2 million for Subtransmission Path 2 upgrades, $75 million for Fair Oaks and Brookside substation upgrades, and $65.2 million for T.M. Goodrich intertie transformer upgrades.

  • The Finance Committee and City Council will meet jointly on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 2 p.m. to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program budget.
  • The capital improvement program serves as a long-range planning tool that identifies infrastructure needs and guides future investment decisions.

The players

Pasadena Water and Power

The city's municipal utility that has proposed $793.7 million in carbon-free energy projects as part of the capital improvement program, reflecting Pasadena's goal of reaching 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030.

Rose Bowl Operating Company

One of the key departments that will present capital plans as part of the overall Fiscal Year 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program budget review.

Department of Public Works

One of the key departments that will present capital plans as part of the overall Fiscal Year 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program budget review.

Department of Transportation

Expected to address transportation and parking projects as part of the capital improvement program presentations.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department

Expected to review park improvements, landscaping and Arroyo-related projects as part of the capital improvement program presentations.

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What’s next

The meeting on Monday is expected to focus on presentations and initial review, with additional steps in the budget process to follow in the coming months before final adoption.

The takeaway

Pasadena's proposed $243.7 million in Fiscal Year 2027 capital project funding reflects the city's long-term planning and commitment to upgrading its infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on transitioning its electric grid to 100% carbon-free energy sources by 2030.