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Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

Volume 7, Number 12

December 2011 / January 2012

IN THIS ISSUE...
Calling Volunteers!
$200 Coupon from EUC
Fuel Economy Guide
Gas Company Rebates
Holiday Light Exchange
Hermosa Beach HHW
60 Freeway Closure
Inglewood Fire Department
Christmas Tree Recycling
Mortgage Underwriting
Volunteer Reception
Staff Spotlight
December 2011 Events
January 2012 Events

Calling Volunteers!
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!
 


 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

Time is Running Out!!

Make your purchases and submit your rebate forms. 

 

 

2011 Rebate Info

 

The Gas Company

Southern California Edison West Basin Municipal Water District
 
 

Energy Upgrade California

 

 

 

 

En Espa�ol
The Gas Company
Southern California Edison Sanitation Districts of LA County
Metro
 
County of Los Angeles 

 

 

Find us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter

 

 

www.sbesc.com 

  
  
To read the South Bay Cities Council of Governments' latest edition of its newsletter,
South Bay Watch,
click here

What's Happening In YOUR City

 

 

SCE Energy Leader Partnership
 
Platinum Tier

 

20% Energy Reduction
Stay Tuned

 

  
 

 

 

Gold Tier
10% Energy Reduction 
City of Hawthorrne 
 
 
Silver Tier
5% Energy Reduction 
City of El Segundo
City of Hermosa Beach
City of Inglewood
City of Lomita
City of Manhattan Beach
City of Carson
 
 
 
Working Toward Silver:
City of Gardena
City of Lawndale
City of Palos Verdes Estates
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
City of Redondo Beach
City of Rolling Hills Estates
City of Torrance
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Manager's Message

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

Looking for a way to reduce energy use this winter? How does a $200 rebate sound with $400 saved annually on your energy bills? Take a look at how much savings can be accomplished by changing out your old pool pump for an energy saving variable speed pool pump.  Your pool filter keeps going all year long not just in the summer.   Rebates put money back in your pocket, and count toward energy savings goals for your city!

 

If you purchased a qualifying appliance or measure to save electricity or gas this year, please take a moment and fill out the SCE or SCG rebate form before December 31.

 

Have a safe and happy New Year!

 

- Marilyn Lyon,

 Program Manager

[email protected]

  

 

SCE 2011 Home Energy Efficiency Rebate Program Form

 

SCG 2011 Home Energy Efficiency Rebate Program Form 

 

Energy Upgrade Logo
Remodelers and Designers:
Are You Taking Advantage of Energy Upgrade CA Yet? 

 

Even if you are not a home performance contractor, you can partner with one to help your clients get rebates for energy upgrades and other green improvements. With Energy Upgrade California, you can offer your clients financial assistance to help pay for additional green improvements that will result in a more comfortable, healthy, and efficient home.

 

Use this opportunity to sell more comprehensive upgrade projects, and get your clients to go for the green label: GreenPoint Rated. 

 

$200 Coupons Are Now Available at Building / Planning Department Counters

 

The SBESC elves have been busy dropping off coupons at City Hall Building / Planning Departments throughout the South Bay.   If you are a homeowner of a detached single-family home in the South Bay, and are completing an energy efficiency upgrade project through Energy Upgrade California (EUC), you can now pick up a $200 coupon at the Building / Planning Dept counter in your city.  But hurry, supplies are limited.

More About $200 Coupons

DOE, EPA Release the 2012 Annual Fuel Economy Guide

 

 

DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the 2012 Fuel Economy Guide on November 16th. The guide provides information that can help consumers choose more efficient vehicles that save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While fuel-efficient vehicles come in a variety of fuel types, classes, and sizes, many new advanced technology vehicles debut on this year's annual list of top fuel economy performers.

Click here to see who came in #1 

The Gas CompanyThe Gas Company

2011 Appliance Rebates

 

The Gas Company is offering rebates for these appliances purchased through December 31:

 

ENERGY STAR� Clothes Washers-$35
ENERGY STAR Dishwashers-$30
ENERGY STAR Furnace-$200
Tankless water heaters (rebate via manufacturer)-$150 (EF=.82) or $200 (EF>.90)
High-efficiency storage water heaters-$30/$75

 

Shop the holiday sales and apply for your rebate!

 

For the 2011 Gas Company Home Rebate form, click here.

 

Southern California EdisonSCE

Another Successful Holiday Light Exchange

 

On November 1 in Lennox and again on November 30 in Torrance and Palos Verdes Estates, SBESC hosted a Holiday Light Exchange where residents could exchange old inefficient holiday lights for brand new energy efficient LED ones, for FREE.

 

Between the three cities, 331 residents exchanged 2,486 old strands for new energy efficient ones, resulting in a savings of 21,529 kWh!

 

A Van Full of Old Holiday Lights 

A Van Full of Old Holiday Lights! 

 

Reminder:  The current SCE Home Energy Efficiency rebate form is good until December 31, 2011.  Click here for a .pdf copy of SCE's 2011 rebate form

 

 

Sanitation Districts of LA County

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County

Hermosa Beach HHW Roundup

 

Household Hazardous Waste / E-Waste Roundup

The City of Hermosa Beach

Saturday, January 28, 2012

9:00am - 3:00 pm

Clarke Stadium

 

 

'Think Earth' and 'Think Earth! It's Magic'

The Sanitation Districts are a founder of the Think Earth Environmental Education Foundation, which provides free, award-winning classroom curriculum for grades pre-K through 8. Think Earth distributes grade specific kits containing 5-8 engaging lessons, colorful posters, and a video. The program is correlated to California Content Standards.

 

By completing the program, students learn the importance of a clean, healthy environment and what they can do to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and minimize pollution. Students learn to "Think Earth!"

 

To request a kit or for more information, please visit

www.thinkearth.org.

Source:  www.lacsd.org

 

L.A. Metro
Vanpools are Great60 Freeway Closure:
Less of a Problem if You Vanpool
 

Last week's closure of the 60 Freeway because of the tanker explosion affected everyone in traffic for sure, but it was less of a problem for those who commute via vanpool.  A vanpool carrying seven people looking for an alternate route is much more efficient than seven people, each in their own vehicle, looking for an alternate route.   Plus, they had someone to talk to when traffic was delayed for hours just after it happened!

 

Won't you consider starting one?  Qualified vanpools receive a $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.

 

West Basin Municipal Water DWest Basinistrict
Inglewood Fire Department Has a New Ocean Friendly Garden - Water Reliability 2020 Has a BIG Role
 
On Tuesday, December 6 Director Gloria Gray, Inglewood Mayor James Butts, Council Member Eloy Morales, Fire Chief Daryl Osby and many others helped celebrate the opening of the new ocean-friendly garden at LA County Fire Station 171 located at 141 Regent St. in Inglewood. The new, water-efficient garden will use 80% less water than its previous landscaping.
 
Ribbon Cutting
 
City of Torrance 
City of Torrance

Christmas Tree Recycling
Another Way To Give Back to the Earth

 

 

Torrance residents may conveniently recycle their Christmas trees during their normal curbside collection between December 27 and January 12.  (Flocked trees may not be recycled but must be cut up and placed in the refuse container.) 

 

All tinsel, ornaments and stands must be removed and the tree cut in half and placed at the curb about four feet from the other trash containers by 7:00 am on the regularly scheduled collection day. A separate truck will be by to collect the trees, which will be ground up and used as mulch and landfill cover.

 

Those Torrance residents in the Green Waste Pilot Program may recycle their trees in the green waste container, following the same directions regarding tinsel and ornaments and the other green waste bin requirements.

 

Residents with questions may call the City of Torrance Public Works Department at (310) 781-6900 or visit the Public Works website.

 

If you are not a Torrance resident, check with your city to find out how to properly dispose of your Christmas tree, or to find out if they provide a curbside recycling program.

 

 

 
Legislation Introduced to Incorporate Energy Costs into Mortgage Underwriting

  

The Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act, recently introduced by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) and Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) proposes incorporating a home's energy performance into its appraisal -- enabling better mortgage underwriting and encouraging investment in energy-efficient residential building.

More on Incorporating Energy Costs Into Mortgage Underwriting 

 

4th Annual Volunteer Reception

Celebrating our Volunteers

Reception on November 17 Honored 6,000 Hours of Service 

 

The South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) held a reception on November 17 to recognize all of our volunteers and to specifically recognize those who have provided more than 100 hours of service.
 
OVER 100 HOURS
Sunny Moss - started November 2009
Veronica Hoyo - started June 2011

OVER 250 HOURS
Kiran Magiawala - started May 2009
Rosemary Vullo - started September 2008

OVER 500 HOURS
Loretta Harrison - started March 2009

OVER 1000 HOURS
Ingrid Nugent - started April 2008
 
Additionally, all of the volunteers were 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.

For more information, please visit our website at www.sbesc.com or contact Volunteer Coordinator, Martha Segovia, at 310-371-7222 x 209.  Click here for the volunteer application.


Staff Spotlight

Grace Farwell-Granger
Soccer MomGrace Farwell-Granger

 

Grace holds two Masters Degrees from the University of Southern California, one in Public Administration and the other in Gerontology. She has over 25 years of experience in developing programs, planning conferences and other events.

 

Grace has been with the SBESC since November of 2008 and is currently an Environmental Services Analyst.  She is part of our Speakers Program and will deliver a program on Energy Upgrade California or Water Reliability 2020 at the drop of a hat!

 

Grace lives in Rancho Palos Verdes with her two teenagers Ben and Katie, who also volunteer here at the SBESC.  Both are honors students, and both are local soccer stars.  They are a soccer family; Grace not only watches her kids play but also referees AYSO games. 

 

If you need a speaker to round out your organization's program for a meeting or event, give Grace a call at (310) 371-7222 x 206.  She might even be willing to offer some soccer pointers!

 

December Events
The SBESC Office will be closed Friday, December 23
and Monday, December 26

 

 

January 2012 Events
The SBESC Office will be closed Monday, January 2, 2012

 

 

West High School Electronics Recycling Event 

Saturday, January 14, 2012

9:00am - 3:00pm

West High School Parking Lot

20501 Victor St., Torrance

 

South Bay Cities Green Task Force 

Thursday, January 19, 2012

1:30pm - 3:30pm

City of Manhattan Beach

Police & Fire Department Conference Room

420 15th St.,

Click here to register for GTF

 

Southern California Edison - FREE Workshop

Basic Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Friday, January 27, 2012

8:30am - 12:30pm

SCE South Bay Service Center

505 Maple Avenue, Torrance 90503

To register, call 1-800-336-2822 x 42537

 

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County

Household Hazardous Waste / E-Waste Roundup

The City of Hermosa Beach

Saturday, January 28, 2012

9:00am - 3:00 pm

Clarke Stadium

Click here for a list of what to bring and a map to Clarke Stadium