There has never been a better time to help out and be recognized.
Email Martha, call 310.371.7222, x 209 or complete our volunteer application and submit by email or fax. You can make a huge difference!
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To read the South Bay Cities Council of Governments' latest edition of its newsletter, South Bay Watch, click here |
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Program Manager's Message
October brings us an opportunity - Energy Awareness Month! All across our nation people are turning words into action and those actions are having positive results earning residents, businesses and public agencies lower utility costs and healthier buildings.
At the South Bay Environmental Services Center, we believe our slogan captures the essence of Energy Awareness Month - Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment. Actions you can take locally would be to purchase Energy Star appliances and equipment; "flip the switch" off when lights are not in use; beware of the energy "vampires" (see article below), combine trips, share rides, use mass transportation and reduce your consumption, reuse or repurpose discards, and recycle.
Click here for the 2011 Energy Awareness poster. Take a look at our articles in this issue and on our website www.sbesc.com to see how you can take action today.
- Marilyn Lyon,
Program Manager
[email protected]
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Energy Upgrade California
Hermosa Beach Homeowners Benefitting from Energy Upgrade California
Hermosa Beach homeowners gathered at an Energy Upgrade California "Block Party" in Hermosa last month to witness how an Energy Assessment works and learn how Energy Upgrade can benefit Hermosa homeowners. The program is sponsored by Los Angeles County and local cities, including Hermosa Beach, to save money and reduce energy use.
More about the Block Party (with pictures!)
Hermosa Beach helped to let our South Bay neighbors know about Energy Upgrade California with a great banner that was strung across Pacific Coast Highway earlier this month. On average, an estimated 55,000 vehicles travel PCH through Hermosa Beach each day. It will be back! After it moves on to other destinations in Los Angeles County, the banner will be making another appearance over PCH, so watch for it
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Southern California Edison
Energy Vampires
While you are reading this, there are energy vampires in your home sucking energy through appliances that you think are turned off. They do that all year long, not just during Halloween!
They are not turned off, they are in "stand by" mode. Anything with a clock, timer, or remote control is still drawing power. "Standby" mode charges could add up to 10% of your electric bill! This includes computers, power tools, flat screen TVs, CD Players, and more. Time to act!
Click here for the simple solution!
2011 Holiday Light Exchange
SBESC will again offer South Bay residents a chance to exchange two strands of their old energy inefficient holiday lights for two strands of brand new multi-colored LED holiday lights.
The Exchange will take place in these cities:
The City of Torrance (November 30 - 7:30-11:30am)
The City of Palos Verdes Estates (November 30 - 1:00-5:00pm)
Lennox (November 1 - 5:00-6:00pm).
Please check our calendar for more details.
Limit two strands per household, must be an SCE customer - please bring either your SCE bill or drivers license with you. First come, first served, while supplies last.
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The Gas Company
CG-REP Workshop December 5-6
Realtors: Join the Green Revolution!
The Gas Company will be hosting a two-day workshop for realtors on December 5 and 6 entitlled "Certified Green Real Estate Professional Training" (CG-REP).
A recent LA Times article reported that homes with third-party certifications for sustainability and energy efficiency sell for more and spend less time on the market than non-certified counterparts.
This workshop is a comprehensive two day course that covers California-specific green building standards (this is important!), California-specific disclosure regulations, mortgage options and green lending programs (203K, Energy Efficiency Mortgages), and will teach realtors everything needed to help clients understand green features, make cost-saving decisions, and navigate statewide rebate programs.
There will be information on Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County, which is offering up to $8,000 in energy upgrade rebates and up to $1,000 in green label rebates to Los Angeles County homeowners. Real estate professionals can get a $200 referral fee for any project they refer that results in a green label.
The workshop is not free, however there are scholarships available; just click on the 'Register Now' link for more information and other workshop particulars.
Register Now
Course Overview
Flyer
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West Basin Municipal Water District
SBESC's "Collaborative Partnership" Model Attracts Visitors
On Tuesday, October 4, The South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) welcomed visitors from the City of Malibu, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, North Santa Monica Bay IRWMP, a representative of LA County Supervisor Yaroslavsky's office, and West Basin Municipal Water District for an office tour and to get a glimpse of all the projects in which we are involved.
More about October 4
Two 'Request for Proposals' from West Basin
West Basin has released two Request for Proposals for work to be done by qualified contractors, "Landscape Irrigation Efficiency Program" and high-efficiency equipment installation work for "North Santa Monica Bay Region".
Contractors who are interested in submitting a proposal should register at www.westbasin.org and click on "Doing Business with Us". The system requires that the contractor enter codes to indicate interest in receiving bid information about specific topics. The codes are listed on these flyers:
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L.A. Metro
$400 / Month Subsidy Still Available
If you have ever arranged to carpool with one of your fellow workers, why don't you look into the possibility of a vanpool.
Qualified vanpools receive $400 subsidy every month to help defray the cost; they are a more efficient and economical way of commuting to work and they save you money! Metro will help coordinate the details for you.
It doesn't cost anything to find out about how it works. To schedule a Vanpool meeting at your business, or if you would like a copy of a beautiful brochure, call SBESC at (310) 371-7222 and ask for either Martha or Grace.
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Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
What Can I Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Event
El Segundo HHW - EWaste
Saturday, November 19, 2011
9am - 3pm
Raytheon Company
Hughes Way Off of Sepulveda
Click here for a list of what to bring and what to leave at home.
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City of Torrance
Shopping Locally Helps Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
It's true - shopping at neighborhood Farmers' Markets saves gasoline, which reduces emissions and produces a smaller carbon footprint than if you drove all over town making multiple stops.
The City of Torrance has not one, but three weekly Farmers' Markets featuring top quality California-grown produce brought in each week direct from 60 California farms. The markets feature a year-round selection of fruits, nuts, vegetables, eggs, honey, baked goods, fish, cut flowers and nursery stock. Start stocking up for your Thanksgiving table while you reduce carbon emissions and contribute to both the local and California economies - its a win-win for everybody!
Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8am - 1pm
FREE produce raffle every Tuesday
Charles H. Wilson Park 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance
Thursdays, 4pm - 8pm
Downtown Old Torrance
Corner of Sartori & El Prado
For more information, visit the City of Torrance's website
The City of Torrance will be celebrating its 100th anniversary a year from now on October 21, 2012. The City invites the community to be part of this grand milestone in its history by sharing photos and stories on the official centennial website.
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Staff Spotlight
Jeremy Hyde Environmental Services Analyst
With a BS in Environmental Science and Master of Public Administration, Jeremy Hyde has a strong science and policy background that gives him a broad range of skills in energy, water, resource planning, waste, atmospheric science, and strategic planning.
He has worked for many years in the energy sector, mainly for energy utilities, regulatory agencies, and local governments, where he took on challenges of renewable energy, energy efficiency, providing affordable electric power, meeting regulatory requirements, and helping local governments provide cost effective means of creating more sustainable and healthy livable communities. This has given him a practical outlook towards serving a diverse range of communities and providing unique solutions to a wide range of energy efficiency challenges.
Here at the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), Jeremy has taken on the task of completing climate action plans for all cities in the South Bay. The SBCCOG has already helped cities reach their first goal of the climate action process by completing greenhouse gas emissions inventories for all South Bay cities.
Jeremy's next step is to help cities establish goals and develop a plan of action outlining how cities can lower their greenhouse gas emissions, save money, and help achieve other important goals that make for more livable communities.
Jeremy is a terrific contributor here in the offices of the SBCCOG and SBESC. He is a real team player, great conversationalist and raconteur, all the while he is figuring out how to make the South Bay a better place.
We are very glad Jeremy landed in the South Bay.
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South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Partnership, Persuasion, Performance
Did you know that the South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) is a program of a larger organization -- the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG)? And that the SBCCOG oversees a range of projects from transportation to energy and water efficiency and conservation?
Since the 1970's South Bay Mayors and Councilmembers have met to discuss how their cities could work together on transportation projects. In 1994, they decided to broaden their focus and create a legal Joint Powers Authority - the SBCCOG was formed.
More about the SBCCOG
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Eleven Energy Champions in the South Bay!
Energy Champions, part of the Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County program, is an innovative way for nonprofits to raise money by introducing energy efficiency upgrades to homeowners in their community network. An enrolled Energy Champion will earn up to $500 for each homeowner they contact and who completes an Energy Upgrade in Los Angeles County.
Who can be an Energy Champion? To be an Energy Champion, you must:
- have an LA County office or address;
- be a 501(c)3, 501(d), a K-12 public or private school, a homeowners association, or a chamber of commerce; and
- designate an individual from your organization to oversee the program.
Energy Champions in the South Bay Fox Hills Ladera Healthy Family Association Inc., Inglewood IAAAACAME, Inglewood
Leadership Hermosa Beach
Train EM Up Academy Inc, Torrance
First Christian Church of Torrance
Recycling Black Dollars, Inglewood
Manchester Community Technologies, Inc., Inglewood
Environmental Charter Schools, Lawndale
Harbor Rose Lodge, San Pedro
Tech Go Green, Torrance
The United States Green Building Council - Los Angeles Chapter
Energy Champion Spotlight
US Green Building Council - LA Chapter
We will be introducing you to South Bay Energy Champions in the coming months. This month we are highlighting the United States Green Building Council - Los Angeles Chapter (USGBC-LA) which now has a new branch in the South Bay!
The USGBC-LA is a nonprofit, mission-based organization with a commitment to making the Los Angeles area a better place to live by promoting sustainability in the community and the built environment. As an official Energy Upgrade California Energy Champion, the organization's goal is to build a network of energy smart and efficiency savvy individuals.
The new South Bay branch will offer the same great events (including tours of green building projects, workshops, trainings, conferences, networking mixers and volunteer opportunities) as the LA chapter, in your own South Bay backyard!
If you are interested in joining, send an email to [email protected] and your name will go on the mailing list for the next Energy Champions event on Tuesday, November 15th from 6-8:00pm (location TBD). |
October Events
City of Manhattan Beach
Energy Efficiency 101 for Manhattan Beach Residents
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
5:30 - 7:00pm
Police & Fire Community Facility Conference Room
420 15th St., Manhattan Beach
Register for Manhattan Beach Energy 101
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November Events
SBESC Office will be closed November 11 and 24th-25th
2011 Holiday Light Exchange
Lennox Park Community Center
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
5:00 - 6:00pm
10828 Condon Avenue, Lennox
see article above for conditions
Lawndale Historic Society
Energy Upgrade / Water Reliability 2020 Presentation
Saturday, November 5, 2011
2:00pm - Part of the scheduled meeting
14717 Burin Avenue, Lawndale
National Association of Realtors Expo Friday, November 11, 2011
Anaheim Convention Center
8:00am - 7:00pm
Visit us at the TEC Booth #1570
800 W. Katella Ave, Anaheim
US Green Building Council-LA
Energy Champions Event
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
6:00-8:00pm
Location TBD
Check our calendar for more details
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County / LA County
Hazardous Household Waste - EWaste
Saturday, November 19, 2011
9:00am - 3:00pm
Raytheon Company
Hughes Way Off of Sepulveda Click here for a map to the El Segundo HHW
2011 Holiday Light Exchange
City of Torrance - West Annex
November 30, 2011
7:30 - 11:30am
3031 Torrance Blvd., Torrance
See article above for conditions
2011 Holiday Light Exchange
City of Palos Verdes Estates
City Hall Public Works Office
November 30, 2011
1:00 - 5:00pm
340 Palos Verdes Drive West, Palos Verdes Estates
See article above for conditions
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