A Worthy Read
Interesting Domestic and International Articles Discussing the Environment, Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation
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CALLING VOLUNTEERS!
There has never been a better time to help out and be recognized.
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 |
Where Does Your City Rank in the
SCE Energy Leader Partnership Program?
Platinum Tier
20% Energy Reduction
City of Lomita
Gold Tier
10% Energy Reduction
City of El Segundo
City of Hawthorne
City of Manhattan Beach
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Silver Tier
5% Energy Reduction
City of Carson
City of Hermosa Beach
City of Inglewood
City of Redondo Beach
City of Torrance
Valued Level
City of Gardena
City of Lawndale
City of Palos Verdes Estates
City of Rolling Hills
City of Rolling Hills Estates
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Did You Know?
In 1882, Thomas Edison launched Pearl Street Station in New York City -- the first modern electric utility. Within a year of its opening, Pearl Street served more than 500 customers -- including The New York Times. Offering both reliable power generation (there was only one single three-hour interruption throughout its existence) and efficient and safe distribution, Pearl Street served as the catalyst for cost-competitive incandescent lighting.
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Message From the Executive Director of SBCCOG
As we enter the holiday season, family, friends, gifts and parties are on our minds. This year, before you get completely into the planning and preparation, take a fast trip to the internet and look up "Energy Efficiency During the Holidays" and you will find a lot of tips to reduce your utility costs while reducing the impacts on the environment. Review some of the articles below for additional tips on how to save energy and other valuable resources during this holiday season.
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Southern California Gas Company
Benchmarking When you Sell Your Commercial Real Estate
Did you know that you may be required to disclose your building's energy performance benchmark rating before it can be sold, leased or refinanced?
A new law (AB1103*) requires this disclosure for many commercial buildings beginning January 1, 2014.
Many owners and managers of commercial buildings are benchmarking their buildings voluntarily. Benchmarking helps them increase energy efficiency and reduce operating costs, which can also help raise property values.
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West Basin Municipal Water D istrict
Worry Free Watering with a New Sprinkler System
Exchange your old sprinkler for a new Weather-Based Irrigation Controller that will:
- Reduce outdoor water use by up to 30%
- Improve the health and beauty of your landscape
- Reduce ocean run-off
- Save up to 40 gallons per day
When: Saturdays - 11/23, 1/25, 2/8 and 2/22 (All exchange events start at 10 a.m.)
Pre-registration is required. For more info and to register, call (310) 371-4633 today! Eligibility requirements apply, please click here for full details.
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Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Upgrades to Expire
Projects Completed in the Next Month are Eligible
A $500 tax credit for energy-efficient upgrades expires at the end of the year so now's a good time to tighten your home's envelope by replacing drafty windows or entry doors or insulating your attic. Some heating and cooling equipment also qualify for the tax credit, which was extended last year as part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act. Here are the details. Read More Return to Top |
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Southern California Edison
Bright Lights, Big Savings: Just a Click Away!
For a limited time, SCE is offering discounts of up to $15 each on select light-emitting diode (LED) and compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. If you live in a qualifying ZIP code, you can save at participating online retailers now, and see energy savings for years to come.
Upgrading your lighting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to reduce your energy use. Learn more about LEDs, CFLs, and other ways to save on lighting.
Ready to start saving? Visit Bulbs.com or EFI.org.
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SBCCOG in the South Bay
SBCCOG Lends Library Collection to Katy Geissert Civic Center Library
The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) today announced the launch of a pilot Lending Library Program with the City of Torrance. The SBCCOG will lend a collection of reference books and resource materials on energy efficiency practices, water conservation, transportation options, climate action planning, and recycling measures, which have been housed at the South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC). The one year pilot program allows the collection to be integrated into the current collection at the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library in Torrance.
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L.A. Metro 
Is ExpressLanes on Social Media?
Yes, follow ExpressLanes on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Keep abreast with the latest changes and updates with the program as well as other interesting transportation-related news. Feel free to ask questions as well, Metro is eager to engage with the community and respond to feedback from ExpressLanes' account holders.
More FAQs Here
Vanpool
Overview
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) administers the Metro Vanpool Program to provide alternative transportation choices to commuters, improve air quality, and reduce traffic congestion in Los Angeles County. The Metro Vanpool Program offers up to a $400 monthly lease subsidy - not to exceed 50% of the lease costs- for commuter vanpools of 7-15 passengers that have a destination to a Los Angeles County worksite for which a completed Program application and agreement has been submitted and approved by Metro. (See Application and Enrollment). Private transit, private shuttles, private vanpools and owner-operated vanpools are not eligible to enroll in the Metro Vanpool Program.
Where to Begin
Get started with at least five (5) commuters ready to share the ride and save. Whether just starting a vanpool or a vanpool group already on the road -both new and existing vanpool groups with a valid vanpool leasing agency agreement are eligible to participate in the Metro Vanpool Program. Program requirements are detailed in the Metro Vanpool Program Participation Guidelines (pdf) and Metro Vanpool Participation Agreement (pdf). Individuals or groups under 5 can still participate.
Application Process
To apply for the Metro Vanpool Program lease subsidy, a vanpool agreement holder with a valid vanpool agreement with any Metro vanpool partner leasing agency must read and agree to the Terms and Conditions of the Participation Agreement complete the Metro Vanpool Program Participation Application (pdf) and submit the completed application to their leasing agent of choice. Applications received by Metro from an authorized leasing agent by the 15th of each month will be considered for enrollment on the first day of the following month.
Enrollment Evaluation
Metro will review each application received for eligibility and completeness based on the following rules: (1) Vanpools must end at a work site located within Los Angeles County, (2) Vanpools must begin service with at least 70% of vehicle seats occupied, (3) Open seats must be advertised as available and open to the public, (4) Vanpool agreement holder agrees to all terms and conditions of the Metro Vanpool Program.
Enrollment Notice
All applicants will be notified by the leasing agency to which the application was submitted regarding enrollment approval.
Maintaining Enrollment
Requirements for maintaining enrollment include: (a) Responding to Metro and leasing agent requests for information, (b) Maintain a minimum 70% vehicle occupancy rate, (c) Follow program guidelines and terms of agreement is detailed in the Metro Vanpool Program Participation Application and Agreement.
Call SBESC for further information about how to get a vanpool started at your place of employment: (310) 371-7222.
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10 Uses for Milk Cartons
Before You Relegate Them to the Recycling Bin or Trash Can, Check Out the Neat Things You Can Do with Old Milk Cartons
Maybe you don't go through milk by the jug like some people do, but chances are that you've got a steady supply of milk (or Lactaid, or Silk ... you get the idea) cartons streaming out of your house every month. You absolutely can recycle them, but did you know that there are also tons of other things you can do with them?
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Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
Board of Directors Unanimously Certify Chloride Compliance Final EIR and Approve Alternative No. 2
The Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District Board of Directors certified the Final Environmental Impact Report and adopted the Final Chloride Compliance Facilities Plan. The Board approved Alternative No. 2, a project consisting of UV disinfection, advanced treatment using reverse osmosis, and deep well injection for brine disposal, that complies with the Santa Clarita River Chloride TMDL Order issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Read More
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10 Tips to Save Energy Consumers Money this Winter
US Households Heated with Natural Gas, Propane and Electricity Face Higher Heating Bills this Winter.
Projected changes in residential expenditures from last winter are:
- 13% higher for homes that heat primarily with natural gas
- 9% higher for propane
- 2% higher for electricity
- 2% lower for heating oil
Higher heating costs can hit families on fixed budgets hard, so the Consumer Energy Alliance compiled a list of winter energy-saving tips that can soften the increased heating cost burden anticipated this season.
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Building Efficiency
Cut Energy Waste By Running Buildings Better
Most people know that new light fixtures can reduce energy waste in office buildings, but even the experts may be surprised to learn just how much energy can be saved by running office buildings better.
NRDC's new report on Real Time Energy Management shows how one company reduced electricity expenses by about $220,000 in one year simply by catching "operational stray." The Report provides a roadmap for owners and tenants to improve their buildings and save money with similar projects.
Large office buildings are complicated systems. Building equipment often will "stray" from optimum settings. For example:
- Thermostats are adjusted for an evening meeting and not re-set to normal schedules, so the chiller runs at night for weeks.
- A sensor breaks, causing fans or pumps to run full-speed when not needed.
- A "bug" in software code causes an automated systems to start in the middle of the night.
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 City of Torrance
FREE Eco Gardener Class Series Hosted at
Madrona Marsh Preserve & Nature Center
Learn about sustainable gardening practices that can be applied at home by attending a variety of classes (each one tackling a different subject) throughout November and December. |
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Legislation Corner
Brown, Governors of Seven Other States Join to Spur Growth of Zero-Emission Vehicles
Gov. Jerry Brown and governors of seven other states today announced an initiative that aims to put 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles on the roadways within a dozen years.
The multi-state effort dovetails with California's previously stated goal of putting 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025.
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November / December 2013 Events & Workshops
Click Here to See a List of Upcoming Workshops & Trainings
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