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Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

Volume 8, Number 2

February / March 2012

IN THIS ISSUE...
Calling Volunteers!
General Assembly Recap
New Video Magazine
Flex Path
The Gas Company
2012 SCE Rebates
LA Metro
Sanitation District
West Basin MWD
City of Torrance
Guest Article - State Water Crisis
Volunteer Opportunities
March 2012 Events

CALLING VOLUNTEERS!
There has never been a better time to help out and be recognized.
 

Email Martha, call her at 310.371.7222, x 209 or complete our volunteer application and submit it 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

 

2012 REBATE FORMS 

  

The Gas Company
(on-line!)

 

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 

 

 

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

 

Where Does Your City Rank in the 

SCE Energy Leader Partnership Program

 

  

Platinum Tier 
20% Energy Reduction
Stay Tuned

  

 

Gold Tier
10% Energy Reduction 
City of Hawthorne
City of Lomita 
 
 
Silver Tier
5% Energy Reduction 
City of El Segundo
City of Hermosa Beach
City of Inglewood
City of Manhattan Beach
City of Carson
 
 
 
Valued Level:
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

 

As spring approaches, the staff and volunteers have never been so busy at the South Bay Environmental Services Center.  Why?  We have moved!  The SBESC and the SBCCOG are now conveniently located in an EnergyStar� building in Torrance. Our new address is 20285 S. Western Avenue, Suite 100, Torrance 90501 -  near 190th Street and the 405 Freeway.  Our phone number remains the same.


Registrations are being taken for the first workshop to be held at the new center on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.  The program is entitled "Greening Your Home with Energy Upgrade California and Water Reliability 2020."  Click here to register for the March 14 workshop.


Our dedicated staff and volunteers look forward to serving the South Bay for many years to come with useful information and resources for Saving Water, Energy, Money and the Environment.

 

- Marilyn Lyon,

 Program Manager

[email protected]

 

 

sbccog

SBCCOG

General Assembly Recap

Friday, February 24, 2012

 

"Be Prepared: Preventing Disasters/Planning for Recovery"

  

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments held its 13th Annual General Assembly on Friday, February 24, 2012.  Over 300 attendees heard speakers from the U.S. Geological Survey, Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Red Cross, La County Emergency Management,  and many other agencies who are involved in disaster recovery.  Afterward, there was a special training from
2 - 4 pm for elected officials and staff on their role in disaster response and recovery.
 
Click here for speaker presentations and event photos (Images courtesy Only You Can Save Energy Video Magazine �2012).
 

Video Magazine
 
Only You Can Save Energy™ Video Magazine Adds to SBCCOG's Residential Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program.

 

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) is proud to announce an expansion of its partnership with Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County to produce its new public education and awareness program Only You Can Save Energy™ Video Magazine.  The video magazine offers leading solutions, games, and entertainment to save South Bay residents energy and cash.  The online and direct mail CD editions are a collection of some of the most useful resources available from government, utilities, corporations, celebrities, organizations, and other leaders in energy conservation.

Energy Upgrade CA LogoFlex Path Program Introduced
One More Option to Help Homeowners Complete Energy Effciency Projects

 

Flex Path was introduced in mid-January of this year. This program offers a $1,500 incentive to owners of single family homes. By completing qualifying retrofits, homeowners can increase their home's energy efficiency, improve comfort, and lower utility bills.

Click here for more information on Flex Path

 

 

The Gas CompanyThe Gas Company

Business Expo - March 29, 2012

 

The annual Energy-Efficiency Expo from Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas�) has been expanded and will now be presented as the Business Expo! The aim of the Business Expo is to present as many business customers as possible with a wide variety of valuable information and resources that can help their bottom line. Schools, universities, government agencies, large or small businesses, foodservice establishments or other organizations/associations will not want to miss out.

More Info on the Business Expo

 

New Ways to Conserve and Save Money

Lower the gas bill by conserving water with a Water Pik� EcoFlow� hand-held showerhead with Evolve™ Ladybug Adapter™. Water Pik's latest innovation in eco-friendly technology can reduce water consumption and energy use at the same time!

 

The EcoFlow hand-held showerhead** with Evolve Ladybug Adapter** offers stylish design and other features. When the shower is initially turned on, the ShowerStart™ device monitors the water temperature. When the water temperature reaches bathing temperature, the conservation mode is activated and the device "triggers a trickle." This prevents hot water from running down the drain while one prepares for a shower.    Rebates are available. Click here for more information on showerhead.

Source: Gas Company News - Updates from Southern California Gas

 

 

Southern California EdisonSCE

2012 Rebates and Refrigerator Recycling 

 

 

In 2012, a homeowner can collect a $50 rebate for a new EnergyStar qualified refrigerator, and get an additional $35 when SCE picks up the old one through their appliance recycling program.  Refrigerators consume the most energy in the kitchen, and older models use twice as much electricity as the newer EnergyStar models. 


Some homeowners make the mistake of moving the old refrigerator to the garage, which can get pretty hot in the summer.  They have an old energy-guzzling refrigerator in the worst possible location and their electric bill shows it.   The SCE recycling program makes a lot of sense, especially since California law prohibits dumping refrigerators or freezers in landfills.  


SCE is offering rebates on a wide range of products in 2012.   Whole house fans,  portable air conditioners,  storage tank water heaters, variable speed pool pumps, hybrid heat pumps, and ducted evaporative cooling systems all have rebates.
 
Click here for 2012 SCE rebate amounts and conditions.

 

 

L.A. Metro
VanpoolChanges to MAX

 

If you are one of the 15,000 South Bay commuters who use the MAX (Municipal Area Express) to get to your job in El Segundo, you may be affected by route eliminations, or at least fare hikes.

 

Won't you consider starting a vanpool?  Qualified vanpools receive a $400 subsidy every month to help defray the cost; they are an efficient and economical way of commuting to work and they save you money!  Metro will help you coordinate the details.

 

It doesn't cost anything to find out about how it works.   To schedule a vanpool meeting at your business, please call SBESC at (310) 371-7222 and ask for either Martha (x 209) or
Grace (x 206).

 

San Dist w background

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County

 

Bixby Marshland Offers FREE Monthly Saturday Tours - next one is Saturday, March 3, 2012

 

Located near the intersection of Figueroa Street and Sepulveda Boulevard in the City of Carson, the Bixby Marshland is a remnant of a formerly extensive, natural-freshwater wetland known as Bixby Slough. Over the years, most of Bixby Slough was destroyed due to development.   After an extensive restoration effort, the site has been rejuvenated, and it's really looking beautiful!

Click here for more information about Bixby Marshland

Source:  www.lacsd.org

 

HHW Roundup on Saturday, March 17 in Manhattan Beach

Location:  Northrop Grumman Space Technology

Click here for a map and a list of what/what not to bring

 

 

West Basin Municipal Water DWest Basinistrict
Honoring Local Businesses Who Participate in Water Saving Programs - Follow up
 
West Basin works with businesses from every sector to improve water efficiency in the region through direct distribution and/or the use of financial incentives to implement efficiency measures and practices that save water, money, energy and are good for the environment.  It is important for businesses to be leaders in the community and demonstrate these practices. 

Some of the businesses that have chosen to lead are being commended at a series of Business Appreciation Presentations at their local city council meetings. 

Torrance 
City of Torrance

Ocean Friendly Garden Workshop
Saturday, March 3, 2012

 

The City of Torrance will be hosting an Ocean Friendly Garden Workshop on Saturday, March 3 from 9:00 am to noon. Participants will learn how to develop an ocean friendly garden or landscape using the latest sustainable materials and techniques. Attendees will be introduced to native and other drought-tolerant plants, water efficient irrigation systems and devices such as "smart" sprinkler controllers, low volume emitters, drip irrigation plus much more, to turn the garden into a sponge and capture and retain rain water.

 

Attendees who have not pre-registered are welcome!

 

City of Torrance - Ocean Friendly Garden Workshop

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Come early to sign in

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

West Torrance High School
Main Library (50 feet west of Victor Entrance)
20401 Victor Street, Torrance

 

Guest Article
 
"State Water Crisis Needs Local Solutions Now" 
by Rob Katherman, Director of the Water Replenishment  District of Southern California

 

We can't wait for the State to fix the Sacramento Delta. Our water supply from the Sacramento Delta faces potential catastrophe from even a moderate earthquake.  The unreinforced earthen levees built more than 100 years ago to prevent the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers from flooding farms in the Delta would give way to the shaking caused by an earthquake.
 
Volunteer Opportunities at SBESC

For anyone who cares about the environment, The South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) offers volunteer opportunities for adults as well as college and high school students who really want to make a difference.  Meaningful activities range from office support, inventory control, data entry, community outreach, and preparing materials for workshops and events, where South Bay businesses, residents, and public agencies learn about energy efficiency and water conservation.  

 

March 2012 Events
 
City of Torrance - Ocean Friendly Garden Workshop
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Come early to sign in
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
West Torrance High School
Main Library (50 feet west of Victor Entrance)
20401 Victor Street, Torrance

Rancho Palos Verdes Annual "Whale of a Day"
Saturday, March 3, 2012
10:00am - 4:00pm
Point Vicente Interpretive Center
31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes

Greening Your Home with Energy Upgrade CA &
Water Reliability 2020 Workshop
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
7:00pm - 9:00pm
South Bay Environmental Services Center
20285 S. Western Ave., Suite 100, Torrance

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
Household Hazardous Waste
Saturday, March 17, 2012
9:00am - 3:00pm
Northrop Grumman Space Technology
Manhattan Beach

West Basin Municipal Water District
Ocean Friendly Garden Workshop
Saturday, March 31, 3012
9:00am - 12:00pm
Inglewood Fire Station 171
141 W. Regent St., Inglewood