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Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment
Volume 6, Number 11

November / December 2010
In This Issue...
Energy Upgrade California
Let There Be Light
DeSal in the Locale
Volunteers Recognized at Annual Reception
Cash Running Out
December Events
Calling Volunteers! 
There has never been a better time to help out and be recognized.

Email Martha, call 310.371.7222, or complete our volunteer application and submit by email or fax.

You make the difference!

Visit Our Cities

Carson
El Segundo
Gardena
Hawthorne
Hermosa Beach
Inglewood
Lawndale
Lomita
Manhattan Beach
Palos Verdes Estates
Rancho Palos Verdes
Redondo Beach
Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Estates
Torrance

SCE Customers in San Pedro & Harbor City

County Unincorporated Areas in South Bay

2010 Rebate Info
The Gas Company
Southern California Edison West Basin Municipal Water District

En Espa�ol
The Gas Company
Southern California Edison Sanitation Districts of LA County
Metro
County of Los Angeles
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www.sbesc.com
Program Manager's Message
Our Environmental Services Analyst, Kathie Baldwin, wrote such a wonderful message to use as our Green Tip of the Week for our first week in December that I thought it was very appropriate for our December newsletter!

"Why not give the most precious gift of all - your time? If it weren't for all of our wonderful volunteers we couldn't do half the work we do.  We have all kinds of jobs and projects, from labeling brochures to staffing our booth at exhibits and environmental fairs.  We will train you in the concepts of energy and water efficiency, and you can take that information home with you and apply it to your own household.  It's a win-win for everybody. Give our Volunteer Coordinator, Martha Segovia, a call at (310) 371-7222 x 209."  

Happy Holidays and remember to look for the EnergyStar™ logo when shopping for appliances or anything electronic.  Visit our website www.sbesc.com weekly to view Kathie's Green Tips for the holiday season.
-Marilyn Lyon,
Program Manager

Energy Upgrade Logo 
 
Energy Upgrade California  in Los Angeles County
The Energy Upgrade California in LA County (EUC in LAC) program is gearing up for a strong consumer launch in January and February of 2011.  With newly approved contractors, media buys, and grassroots campaigns this program will use American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to create a new highly skilled energy efficiency workforce here in LA. 

At the core of the EUC in LA program are incentives and rebates offered by LA County, Southern California Edison, and The Gas Company worth up to $4,500 for homeowners who install efficiency upgrades in their homes.  If you know out of work contractors, be sure to notify them about this program so they can get on the bandwagon of the emerging energy efficiency industry right here in LA.

Stay tuned on the SBESC website for updates at:
http://www.sbesc.com/programs/residential/energy-upgrade-california for homeowners.

http://www.sbesc.com/programs/residential/energy-upgrade-california-for-contractors for contractors.

'Tis the Season for Gardena and Lawndale
On November 19, the City of Gardena helped Southern California Edison and the SBESC launch this year's Annual Holiday Light Exchange. The City of Lawndale followed suit on November 29.

Through Edison's program, old energy-inefficient holiday lights are taken off the grid, permanently. The SBESC destroys the lights and disposes of them at a L.A. County S.A.F.E. Center. The best part: when Edison customers bring 2 of their old light strands they receive 2 brand new LED strands! Better still, this program illuminates Torrance on December 2 (see December Events). Thank you to the Cities of Gardena, Lawndale, and Torrance, SCE and you, the customer, for continuing to make the Holiday Light Exchange a huge success.

Gardena Lt. Exchange
Grace Farwell-Granger of the SBESC, Councilman Dan Medina from City of Gardena, and Pascal Okpo of SCE handing out brand new LED lights.
Lawndale Light Exchange 2010
Grace assisting Lawndale residents.

DeSal in the Locale
Are you interested to know what is being done in the South Bay to ensure reliable future water supplies? Then we encourage you to take advantage of a unique opportunity - to tour the NEW West Basin Municipal Water District "Desalination Demonstration Facility and Water Education Center" on Saturday, December 4, 10am - 2pm. There will be a FREE community Open House. You have a chance to literally see and taste your water future. Please see our December Events for a link to the flyer, which includes a map and parking details.
DesalAndSealab

Volunteers Recognized at Annual Reception
For years the SBESC has been fortunate enough to attract and retain an incredibly capable and diverse group of volunteers. The year 2010 has been no different. With an age range of 14 to 86, from high school students to PhDs, the "Corps of our Operation" has contributed in both the background and foreground in helping us continue to bring our programs to you.
 
On November 18 we honored all those who could attend our Annual Reception, which was held this year at the Peninsula Center Library in Rolling Hills Estates. Our volunteers received gifts, such as Amex gift cards and movie theater coupons, and certificates from local government officials. Martha Segovia, who has overseen the program for the last 3 years, and Ellen Perkins, of the SBCCOG Board of Directors, led the festivities. Thank you to Costco, Trader Joe's, G3-green gardens group, and the Red Onion! For information on how to become a volunteer, contact Martha at [email protected] or see our SBESC Volunteer web page.
VolReception2010

Cash For Appliances Rebates Ending
Rebates for Refrigerators, Washers, and Others Ends December 6, 2010.


Californians looking to cash in on a California Cash for Appliances rebate must purchase their new energy efficient home appliances before December 6. The popular rebate program administered by the California Energy Commission will close in phases, beginning with the home appliances. Applications for water heaters and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems must be postmarked by December 31, 2010.

Since April more than 160,000 applications have been received with approximately $4.5 million still available.

Consumers can choose from a variety of eligible models, which can be viewed at:

www.cash4appliances.org/products/.

When: New and corrected applications must be postmarked by December 6, 2010 for consumers who purchase home appliances including, refrigerators, clothes washers, room air conditions, freezers, and dishwashers. Rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for complete applications with the required supporting documents.

Why: The program has approximately $4.5 million remaining and this gives consumers additional time to take advantage of the sales offered by retailers during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.

Who: The California Energy Commission has partnered with more than 80 Platinum Retail Partners and more than 50 Official Partners to assist consumers with appliance purchases, recycling their old appliances and completing their application. A list of partners is available at:

www.cash4appliances.org/partners/list.html.

Consumers will need to work with a licensed California contractor for the installations of water heaters and heating and cooling units.

Consumers should check with their local utility and the State of California Contractor's State License Board (CSLB) for lists of contractors in their area and How to Hire a Contractor:

www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/HireAContractor/.

How: Consumers are eligible for a rebate when they purchase a qualified high energy efficient appliance, water heater, or heating and cooling units, properly recycle their old appliance or system, and submit a complete application package. Instructions on how to complete an application for the California Cash for Appliances rebate are available here:

www.cash4appliances.org/consumers/Rebate-Form.pdf.


December Events

Annual Holiday Light Exchange
Thursday, December 2, 2010
9:00am until supplies last
City Hall - West Annex
3031 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance
Free and open to the public.
Terms apply. Click here for flyer.


New West Basin Desalination Demonstration Facility
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, December 4, 2010
10:00am - 2:00pm
1021 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach

Free and open to the public.
Click here for flyer.

Electric Vehicle 101 Workshop for Local Governments
Thursday, December 9, 2010
9:30am - 3:00pm
Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center
801 E. Carson Street, Carson
Free and open to Representatives from local government,
fleet managers, transportation and building and safety personnel, as well as environmental and sustainable program representatives from cities, counties, universities, utilities and non-profits. Email Registration to: [email protected]

Ocean Friendly Gardening & Landscaping
Hands On Workshop

Saturday, December 11, 2010
9:00am - Noon
Ladera Park Senior & Community Center
4750 W. 62nd Street, Los Angeles
Free. Registration required.
Click here for flyer.
Click here to register.