ApprovedSBESClogo

 


Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

Volume 8, Number 4

May 2012

IN THIS ISSUE...
Calling Volunteers!
PACE Commercial Financing
$30 Million in Incentives
SCE Helps Business
The Rule 2202 Solution
Needles & Sharps Disposal Program
Smart Gardening Expos
Regional Mixer/Green Expo
Staff Spotlight - Joline Munoz
Legislation Corner
The Green Idea House
Cities in the News
May 2012 Events & Workshops

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 Carson
City of El Segundo
City of Gardena
City of Hermosa Beach
City of Inglewood
City of Manhattan Beach
City of Redondo Beach
 
 
 
Valued Level:
City of Lawndale
City of Palos Verdes Estates
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
City of Rolling Hills Estates
City of Torrance
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message From the Deputy Executive Director of Environmental Programs

 

Our focus in this issue of the e-newsletter highlights the commercial side in addition to the variety of environmental services offered to residents and municipalities.  Saving money is undoubtedly a constant for all the energy efficiency, water conservation and air quality efforts that take place in our daily lives whether in the home, at school, or at work.  Growing the perspective from the individual interest to include the business sector is of value to everyone, particularly in these challenging economic times.

You will find articles on low cost Energy Upgrade California loans to county homeowners, PACE financing for commercial properties, Home Depot water-wise plant savings events, a Green Expo sponsored by the Torrance Chamber of Commerce, and financial incentives made available by Southern California Gas Company to businesses for energy efficiency projects - a variety to raise your awareness of viable options.  


Catherine Showalter

 

Energy Upgrade LogoEnergy Upgrade California
PACE Program for Commercial Properties -
Attractive Financing Options Available 

 

 

Through Energy Upgrade California (EUC) in Los Angeles County, owners of non-residential, non-publicly-owned, income-producing commercial properties in LA County have access to PACE financing. PACE stands for "Property Assessment Clean Energy." Under the PACE structure, property owners can negotiate project-specific terms with the investors of their choice, and repay the cost of the upgrade over time through a contractual assessment placed on the property tax bill. PACE investors are fully secured through a voluntary contractual assessment, and as such, they have the security to offer financing at lower rates and over longer periods.

More on PACE Commercial Financing 

 

LA County Homeowners:Click Here to Enter a Sweepstakes to Win a Greenpoint Rating For Your Home Worth $2,000.  Deadline:  May 9 at 12:01 a.m.

 

FLYER

 

The Gas CompanyThe Gas Company

$30 Million in Incentives Available for Energy Efficient Projects for Business - Carson Business Wins Award

  

On March 29, 2012 Southern California Gas Company announced that more than $30 million in rebates and incentives are available in 2012 to business customers for qualifying energy-efficiency projects. The announcement was made at SoCalGas' annual Business Expo in Pomona, Calif., where over 300 business representatives learned how they could save energy and money through the utility's programs and latest green technologies.

More on Incentives for Business from the Gas Company

Southern California EdisonSCE  

Helping Businesses with Retention, Expansion and Attraction

 

Southern California Edison (SCE) has a wealth of information on their website for businesses of any size. In addition to rebate information, high bill helpers, and other ways to improve the bottom line, SCE offers information on how their Regional Economic Development (RED) teams, their experienced Economic Development Team and their network of resource partners can help guide businesses in many diverse ways.  Also offered on the website is the Economic Development Services Fact Sheet.

Click here to go to the SCE Economic Development website. 

L.A. MetroVanpool
The Rule 2202 Solution

 

Are you an employer of 250 or more employees in the South Bay? As you are aware, you must comply with SCAQMD's Rule 2202 - On-Road Motor Vehicle Mitigation.  Adopted in 1995, the objective of the Rule 2202 program is to reduce mobile source emissions generated from employee commute trips. The rule applies to all employers within the South Boast Air Quality Management District that employ over 250 personnel.

 

An option that is available for employers to offer their employees is Metro's Vanpool program.

Sanitation Districts of LA County

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County

"Be Safe and Protect the Environment by Proper Disposal of Needles" from the Los Angeles Times, 20 April 2012 

 

Most people today know that you can't toss certain hazardous items like old paint and motor oil in with the regular trash. These materials can be dangerous and need to be disposed of in a separate manner to protect public health and the environment.

 

These requirements also apply for used needless, also referred to as medical waste or sharps. Sharps are hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for delivery of medications. Since September 12, 2008 it has been illegal to dispose of sharps in the regular trash due to safety and environmental concerns.

More on Needles and Sharps Drop Off Program

Flyer Showing Drop Off Locations in the South Bay

West Basin Municipal Water DWest Basinistrict
Smart Gardening Expos May 5 & May 19 

 

West Basin will be co-sponsoring water-wise events in May at two Home Depot locations in the South Bay.  The first event will be on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Home Depot at 14603 Oceangate in Hawthorne from 9am to 2pm.  The second event will be in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Home Depot located at 24451 Crenshaw Blvd from 9am to 2pm. 
 
Both events will feature mini-demonstrations once per hour with water efficiency specialists on hand to answer questions.  Shoppers will be able to purchase climate-appropriate plants up to 50% off the regular price.

 

City of Torrance 
City of Torrance
May 17 - Regional Mixer/Green Expo 

 

On Thursday, May 17, the Green Torrance Committee of the Torrance Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Regional Mixer/Green Expo!  The South Bay Environmental Services Center will be exhibiting water, energy and environmental resources available to businesses that wish to reduce utility costs or learn how to green their businesses.  The event takes place from 5:30-8:00 pm at the Toyota Automobile Museum, 19600 Van Ness Avenue in Torrance.  There is a $5.00 charge at the door.

 

Note that the Green Torrance Committee includes city economic development staff and businesses that practice eco-friendly procedures, and offer green services or products.  Because of their interest and support, the Expo is truly a worthwhile community event.
 
Joline
Staff Spotlight 
Joline Munoz 

 

Joline Munoz is a welcome addition to the South Bay Environmental Services Center and is our main contact for Energy Upgrade California. With a background in Environmental Engineering and passion for the environment, Joline strives to learn more and educate others about such topics as sustainable solutions and conservation strategies.

Outside of work, Joline is very active in the American Society of Civil Engineers Younger Member Forum as an officer of the Los Angeles Chapter and enjoys the outdoors while running, swimming, and climbing. This energetic individual completed her first half-marathon last year and plans to run a full-marathon in the next year.

Legislation Corner 

SB1066 - Coastal Resources - Maximizing Project Benefits Along the Coast.
From the office of Ted W. Lieu, CA 28th District


SB1066 corrects an ambiguity in law to ensure that the California Coastal Conservancy, as part of its mission to use innovative entrepreneurial techniques to protect, restore, and enhance coastal resources and urban waterfronts, can engage in projects that address climate change impacts in these areas.
 
Click here for an interactive map that shows how rising sea levels could affect U.S. cities, and in particular the South Bay.

 

The Green Idea House 
An Idea Whose Time Has Come! 

 

One afternoon a few years ago, the SBESC office received a call from a Mr. Robert Fortunato, who asked if we knew anything about net-zero houses, and we introduced him to our partners Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company and West Basin Municipal Water District.

 

Fast forward to 2012:  Robert, his wife Monica and their son, Carter, just moved back into their completely remodeled net-zero and award winning home in Hermosa Beach, which they call the Green Idea House. 

Cities in the News 
Energy Efficiency Leader Award goes to Gardena -
from Gardena Valley News 22 March 2012 
 

"Leaders at Gardena Municipal Bus Lines (GMBL) received the Energy Efficiency Leader Award from Thermo King, a manufacturer of temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications during a ceremony at the Gardena bus facility.

 

In recognition of GMBL's commitment to operational and energy efficiency and sustainability, the city's Transportation Department will receive the "Energy Efficiency Leader Award" from Thermo King, a manufacturer of temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand.  

More on Gardena's Energy Efficiency Leader Award

 

 

May 2012 Events & Workshops
The SBESC Office will be closed on Monday, May 28
in Observance of Memorial Day
 
West Basin Smart Gardening Expo
Saturday, May 5, 2012
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Home Depot
14603 Oceangate, Hawthorne, CA
 
Sanitation Districts Hazardous Household Waste Collection
Saturday, May 5, 2012
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall
30930 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes
 
Greening Your Home with Energy Upgrade CA and Water Reliability 2020
Thursday, May 10, 2012
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Inglewood City Hall
1st Floor Community Room
One Manchester Blvd., Inglewood
 
Regional Chamber Mixer/Green Expo
Hosted by the Green Torrance Committee
of the Torrance Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, May 17, 2012
5:30 - 8:00 pm
Toyota Museum
19600 Van Ness Ave, Torrance

West Basin Smart Gardening Expo
Saturday, May 19, 2012
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Home Depot
24451 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA
 
LA County Dept of Parks & Recreation
Health and Wellness Fair
Saturday, May 19, 2012
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Yvonne Burke Sr/Community Center
4750 W. 62nd St., Ladera Heights