|
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!
|
|
To read the South Bay Cities Council of Governments' latest edition of its newsletter,
South Bay Watch,
click here |
|
Program Manager's Message
Happy Thanksgiving! There are so many ways we can have a GREENER holiday season. You can save money and be good to Mother Earth all at the same time. Through our Partnership programs with SCE, SCG, West Basin MWD, Torrance Water, Los Angeles County Sanitation District, LA Metro and Energy Upgrade CA - Los Angeles County, the SBCCOG / SBESC can help you reduce your energy and water use, and find handy locations for recycling and household hazardous and e-waste roundups. Please read the articles in this month's issue to discover all the ways you can green your holiday season and beyond.
As a holiday season treat, in collaboration with our SCE partners, we are offering two FREE holiday light exchanges on November 30, at Torrance City Hall in the morning and Palos Verdes City Hall in the afternoon. Up to ten strands of new multi-colored holiday LED light strands will be offered in exchange for ten strands of your old energy-guzzling lights!
- Marilyn Lyon,
Program Manager
marilyn@sbesc.com
|
|
|
FREE Workshops for Elected Officials, Building Officials, Planning Commissioners and City Staff
The SBCCOG/SBESC, through its collaboration with Southern California Edison and in support of long-term sustainability, offers free education and trainings to South Bay elected officials, building officials, planning commissioners and city staff members in the areas of energy efficiency, demand response, and on-site generation.
Included in the workshops are current building and code enforcement standards, including Title 24 standards, and the differences and benefits of reach codes that exceed Title 24 minimum requirements. Through this program, the SBCCOG / SBESC hope to empower city staff to advocate for cost effective energy efficiency projects throughout the South Bay's municipal, commercial and residential buildings.
On September 8, an extremely well received day-long free Title 24 workshop was held in El Segundo (pictured above) and was attended by Building and Planning Department staff members from several South Bay cities along with a few pre-qualified contractors whose daily job requires providing Title 24 information to Building Departments. The trainer was a building professional with many years of experience on both sides of the counter, and many attendees commented afterward that it was the best workshop on Title 24 requirements they had ever attended. Look for more Title 24 workshops in 2012.
On November 4, the SBCCOG/SBESC hosted a LEED Green Associate Pre-Exam Workshop for city staff and commissioners. Several SBESC staff also attended the workshop, which was held at the South Bay Energy Efficiency Demonstration (SEED) House in Lennox.
On December 8th the SBCCOG/SBESC will host a workshop on Funding Municipal Energy Projects. Attendees will learn:
- What the available sources of funding are
- How to identify variables associated with the project
- How to leverage programs available through the County and other sources
- Whether proposals from outside sources provide truly "cost neutral" benefits
Through the South Bay Cities Council of Governments' energy efficiency grant from Southern California Edison, Public Financial Manage-ment (PFM) and AESC (engineers) have been engaged to provide the workshop and an Environmental Finance Manual to provide our cities with tools to increase their energy efficiency opportunities. We look forward to seeing you there!
Appropriate attendees: Finance Directors, City Managers, Facility Managers, any city staff involved in energy projects.
Online courses are also being offered through this unique partnership on topics ranging from lighting and building science to incorporating energy efficiency into your cost saving business plans.
Additional workshops will be held in 2012. Check our calendar for future offerings. |
|
Energy Upgrade California
SCE Offers FREE Home Energy Efficiency "Concierge Service"
Southern California Edison (SCE) is offering its customers the opportunity to learn for FREE whether they might benefit from home energy efficiency upgrades. If you own a single family home in Los Angeles County, you could earn up to $8,000 back on your investment from rebates and incentives through Energy Upgrade California.
SCE can arrange for an energy expert to visit your home and conduct a brief survey before you bring in a contractor. Together you'll review your options, learn ways you can save, and find out how an in-depth home energy assessment and home improvements performed by a participating Energy Upgrade California contractor can help make your home more comfortable and save even more.
Call (800) 278-8585 to schedule your free SCE appointment.
|
Southern California Edison
Rebate Forms Are Important!
They Help You and Your City
When you purchase a new energy efficient appliance and fill out and send in a rebate form, it not only puts money back in your pocket but helps your city achieve its energy savings goals.
Every city in the South Bay is a member of the SBCCOG/SBESC Local Governments Energy Leader Partnership with SCE and has energy savings goals that are calculated not only from completed energy saving projects on municipal buildings, but also from the rebate forms which residents and businesses send in. In other words, the difference in kWh saved by removing your old energy-guzzling refrigerator or an inefficient pool pump from the grid and replacing it with an energy efficient one is applied toward your city's energy savings goals and you receive a rebate check. Imagine that!
Cities that have achieved a 5% reduction in energy (Silver Tier) so far are El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lomita, Manhattan Beach and Carson and they are all working toward the Gold Tier. The City of Hawthorne has achieved a 10% reduction in energy and is the only city at the Gold Tier, and it is working toward the Platinum Tier. The Platinum Tier is for cities that have reduced energy usage by 20%. There are no cities at this level, YET!
Gardena, Lawndale, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach and Rolling Hills Estates are all working toward achieving the Silver Tier and this is where you can help. In fact, even if your city is at the Silver or Gold Tiers, your rebate can help them move up to the next level.
When a city reaches its energy savings goals, Southern California Edison and the SBCCOG Partnership reward them in a big way. Several cities have received large rebate checks for their energy efficiency projects. Cities and residents working together can greatly reduce energy use and costs in the South Bay.
The current rebate form is good until December 31, 2011. Click here for a .pdf copy.
2011 Holiday Light Exchange - Up to 10 Strands!!
SBESC will again offer residents of any South Bay city a chance to exchange up to ten strands of their old energy-inefficient holiday lights for up to ten strands of brand new multi-colored LED holiday lights.
The Exchange will take place in these cities on November 30:
The City of Torrance - 7:30-11:30am
The City of Palos Verdes Estates - 1:00-5:00pm
Please check our calendar for more details.
Limit ten 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.
|
|
The Gas Company
Annual Furnace Inspection
Schedule your annual furnace inspection on-line before the holiday rush. You can also request that the technician check over your gas-powered appliances, such as your "soon to be very busy" oven / stove to be sure the ventilation system is not leaking carbon monoxide back into the house.
In addition to scheduling service on-line, you can view and pay your gas bill and access up to two years of account history. Account history is very useful when you want to track your useage.
To schedule an inspection, click here. You will need your 10 digit account number.
For the 2011 Gas Company Home Rebate form, click here.
|
West Basin Municipal Water D istrict
Do You Know Your Director?
All of the events and workshops that West Basin produces during the year are co-sponsored by the appropriate Division Director, which is an elected position. Here is a list of the five Directors and the areas they represent:
Division I - Ronald C. (Ron) Smith
Carson, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Rolling Hills and portions of San Pedro.
Division II - Gloria D. Gray
Inglewood, South Ladera Heights, a portion of Lennox and Athens, Howard and Ross-Sexton.
Division III - Carol W. Kwan
Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance
Division IV - Edward C. Little
Culver City, El Segundo, Malibu, West Hollywood, Lennox, North Ladera Heights, Del Aire, Topanga, View Park, and Windsor Hills
Division V - Donald L. Dear
Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale, and portions of El Camino Village
Click here for more information on the District Directors.
|
|
L.A. Metro
 $400 EVERY MONTH?
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.
|
|
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.
|
 City of Torrance
Free Gardening & Landscape
"Workday Workshop" - December 3
The City of Torrance, in conjunction with the West Basin Municipal Water District, the Water Replenishment District of Southern California, Surfrider Foundation, and SBESC, invite you to learn how to develop an Ocean Friendly Garden using the latest sustainable materials and techniques on Saturday, December 3 at West High School.
The session will be a "Hands On Workday Workshop" to transform a 12,000 s.f. site into a multi-purpose ocean friendly environment using "wet mulching" to kill weeds and establish an appropriate soil condition for planting native vegetation.
Saturday, December 3 - 9:00 - noon (arrive by 8:45 am)
Refreshments will be provided
West High School
20401 Victor St., Torrance
Dec 3 Flyer
Pre-registration required.
Register here for December 3 Workshop.
|
|
Volunteers Recognized
Annual Reception Honors 6,000 Hours of Service
The South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) will hold a reception tonight, November 17, to recognize those volunteers who have provided more than 100 hours of service. Volunteers will be honored by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Boardmembers and legislative offices for contributing over 6,000 hours supporting staff in educating the South Bay businesses, residents and public agencies about the importance of energy efficiency and water conservation.
We love our volunteers. Without them we couldn't do half of what we do. Volunteers staff exhibits at community outreach events, maintain inventory, perform data entry, label brochures, prepare materials for workshops and events, assist staff with meetings and special events, and give general office support. They add value to the center's efforts to improve the quality of life for those who live, play and work in the South Bay. Energy Efficiency training is offered and the SBESC is happy to accommodate regular hours or flexible schedules.
|
|
Staff Spotlight
Marcy Hiratzka
Environmental Services Analyst
Marcy earned her Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Analysis & Design from the University of California at Irvine.
Previous employers include CALTRANS District 12, Swinerton Builders, Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Marcy has been blessed with invaluable work experience thus far in her life, and is thrilled to work for the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and the South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC). She currently offers exceptional administrative support to the SBCCOG Board and it's working groups, and also to the South Bay Energy Leader Partnership, of which SBESC is a member.
Public policy fascinates Marcy, and she loves her job because it allows her to continue to observe how policy is made and to work alongside and learn from influential designers and leaders. A former ESL/Adult Literacy Instructor for the Los Angeles Public Library System and Girl Scout of 12 years, Marcy now spends her free time as an avid community volunteer and in the performing arts.
Marcy can take a huge daunting project and make it look easy and before you know it, it's done. We are very glad she works for us!
|
|
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
|
|
November Events
SBESC Office will be closed November 24th-25th
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
City of Inglewood
East Ellis Neighbor Association Meeting
Energy Upgrade California & Water Reliability 2020
Saturday, November 19, 2011
3:00 - 4:00pm
District 2 - Police Community Center
943 N. La Brea Ave., Inglewood
2011 Holiday Light Exchange
City of Torrance - West Annex
Wednesday, 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
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
1:00 - 5:00pm
340 Palos Verdes Drive West, Palos Verdes Estates
See article above for conditions
|
 December EventsThe SBESC Office will be closed December 23 and 26
West Basin Municipal Water District
Ocean Friendly Garden - Hands On Workshop
Saturday, December 3, 2011
9:00am - 1:00pm
West High School
20401 Victor St., Torrance
Register for Dec 3 Workshop
Funding Municipal Energy Projects
For City Staff Only
Thursday, December 8, 2011
2:00 - 5:00 pm
South Bay Environmental Services Center
15901 Hawthorne Blvd., Lawndale
Register for Dec 8 Workshop
|
|
|
|
|
