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LANCASTER, Calif., Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire＝KYODO JBN/ --

--The delegation, led by Mayor R. Rex Parris, met with government and clean

energy business leaders across Japan.

The City of Lancaster joined government and business leaders from around the

globe in Tokyo, Japan for World Smart Energy Week, with the goal to form closer

ties to accelerate the transition to clean energy solutions, including

hydrogen. The city delegation's visit culminated in a keynote speech provided

by Mayor R. Rex Parris on Lancaster's leading role in becoming the first

hydrogen city in the U.S.

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"The City of Lancaster extends its immense gratitude and appreciation to our

World Smart Energy Week hosts as we share our forward-looking approach to

deploying clean energy solutions, like hydrogen, from the municipal level. This

trip is an essential opportunity to meet with officials from our Smart Sister

City, Namie, meet with existing business partners like Choshu and form new

relationships," said Parris. "Our travels will enable Lancaster to grow tighter

bonds with the Japanese business community and share lessons in the global

effort to achieve global net-zero goals."

Ahead of the World Smart Energy Week presentation, Mayor R. Rex Parris joined

Mayor Eric Garcetti, of the City of Los Angeles, at a Discover LA Event where

they discussed green energy solutions. Both mayors share common goals of

attracting green hydrogen companies, technology, and investment to the Los

Angeles region.

Following the events of World Smart Energy Week, the city delegation will

continue to meet with government and business leaders throughout Japan,

including:

    --  Tour Namie, Japan, City of Lancaster's Smart Sister City partner

    --  Visit TEPCO Dai Ichi nuclear plant

    --  Meet with Japanese Government Agency Officials

    --  Tour Choshu facilities with the Governor of Yamaguchi

Parris is a fifth-term Republican mayor who transformed Lancaster into a

renewable energy leader over the past decade by attracting more than $2 billion

of investment in cutting-edge green companies and technologies. Investors

include BYD, which manufactures electric buses; Heliogen, which generates

hydrogen from concentrated solar energy; SGH2, which gasifies wastepaper into

hydrogen; and Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), which converts organic waste into

renewable natural gas and hydrogen. The city also started its own utility

company, Lancaster Choice Energy, allowing residents to choose local renewable

energy at lower prices.

SOURCE: City of Lancaster, California

CONTACT: Peter Thompson, peter.thompson@fticonsulting.com