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Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

Volume 10, Number 12

 December 2014 

IN THIS ISSUE...
Calling Volunteers!
SCG
SCE
L.A. Metro
Sanitation Districts
West Basin
City of Torrance
Legislation Corner
Cities in the News
December 2014 Events & Workshops
A Worthy Read
Interesting Domestic and International Articles Discussing the Environment, Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation


 

How Does Los Angeles County Use Storm Water Runoff?

 

Los Angeles Leaders Learn Water-Saving Lessons from Australia 

 

Building Occupants Sabotage Energy Savings 

 

 

Upcoming HHW/E-Waste Collection Events



Recycle in the South Bay: Palos Verdes Recycle Center

CALLING VOLUNTEERS!

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

Check out our volunteer program and learn how to get involved.   
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
 / Harbor Gateway & Wilmington

County Unincorporated Areas in South Bay 

2014 REBATE INFORMATION 

  

Southern California Gas Company  

 

Southern California Edison

 

West Basin Municipal Water District  

 

 En Espa�ol

 

Southern California Gas Company


Southern California Edison

 

Sanitation Districts of LA County


Metro - "El Pasajero"

 

 

 

Find us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterView our profile on LinkedIn

 

 

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 
City of Lawndale
City of Lomita
City of Manhattan Beach

 

Gold Tier
10% Energy Reduction 
City of El Segundo
City of Hawthorne
City of Inglewood

City of Rancho Palos Verdes

 

Silver Tier
5% Energy Reduction 
City of Carson
City of Hermosa Beach
City of Redondo Beach
City of Torrance 
 
Valued Level
City of Gardena
City of Palos Verdes Estates
City of Rolling Hills
City of Rolling Hills Estates

Did You Know?

Approximately 33 million live Christmas trees are sold in North America every year. After the holidays, look for ways to recycle your tree instead of sending it to a landfill. Check with your community solid waste department and find out if they collect and mulch trees. Your town might be able to use chippings from mulched trees for hiking trails or beachfront erosion barriers.

Message From the Executive Director of SBCCOG

 

While you are busy closing out 2014 with celebrations and family events, it's not too early to start thinking about your New Year's Resolutions.  Yes - a better diet always comes to mind.  We are also hearing that more and consistent sleep is a good idea.  At the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, we encourage you to think about making 2015 the year that you start taking containers to the restaurant for your leftovers, consider composting, reduce your shower time, make more of your own decorations for parties, turn off lights when you leave a room, remove unused plugs from their sockets, use recycled office supplies, recycle your Christmas tree and so much more.  

 

Recycle Across America, a non-profit corporation, features some interesting facts that show that even a little bit makes a difference:

  • Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run your television for three hours.
  • Five plastic bottles (PET) recycled provides enough fiber to create one square foot of carpet or enough fiber fill to fill one ski jacket.
  • Recycling a stack of newspaper just 3 feet high saves one tree.
  • Recycling just one glass jar saves enough electricity to light an 11 watt CFL bulb for 20 hours.
  • Recycling 1 ton of cardboard saves 46 gallons of oil.

As we close 2014 and get ready for 2015, think about what new green practices you can adopt for the New Year.

 

And - we wish you very Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!


 

Jacki Bacharach


 

Southern California Gas CompanyThe Gas Company

Get Ready For Winter

   

When the weather gets colder, heating bills may be higher because customers use more natural gas. Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) is committed to helping customers manage their winter energy bills. SoCalGas may be able to help you or someone you know conserve energy and save money with:

  • 20 percent discount
  • One-time $100 bill assistance
  • No-cost, energy-saving home improvements
  • Extra allowance of gas at the lowest rate for certain medical conditions

Read More

 

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Southern California EdisonSCE  

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips 

 

Getting into the holiday spirit means putting up decorations around your home. Know when to throw out a decoration and when it's OK to place it outside. Here's SCE's guide to safely decorating this holiday season.

Read More

 

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L.A. Metro
What is a Vanpool?

 

With gas prices rising, traffic congestion increasing, and energy resources dwindling, smart long-distance commuters are seizing the opportunity to turn an often costly and frustrating daily commute into a more pleasant experience. It's called vanpooling.

Read More

 

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Sanitation Districts of LA County

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County

New Municipal Solid Waste Rates Effective January 1, 2015

  

Effective January 1, 2015, new municipal solid and inert waste (MSW) rates will charged at the Puente Hills Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), the Downey Area Recycling and Transfer (DART) Facility, the South Gate Transfer Station, and Calabasas Landfill. There will be changes to the green waste rates at the Puente Hills MRF, the DART Facility, and the Scholl Canyon and Calabasas Landfills. The Sanitation Districts boards were briefed in October, and a revised rate ordinance was adopted on November 18, 2014.

Read More


 

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West Basin Municipal Water DWest Basinistrict 
Rain Barrel Program Update

 

West Basin plans to schedule dates in January and February 2015 for their rain barrel "giveaway" program. If you can't wait, there is another option. You can purchase up to 4 qualified rain barrels right now and apply for a rebate (starting at $75) offered by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, through So Cal Water Smart. Follow this link for details. 

 

Rain barrel rebate guidelines are as follows:

  1. Minimum size: 50 gallons
  2. Rain barrel must be designed for the intended purpose of rain capture
  3. Should have a cover to prevent mosquitoes, rodents and debris from entering
  4. The rain barrel must be mounted in a way that allows the barrel to receive water unimpeded from a rain gutter.
  5. Should not block or restrict access to walkways or pathways
  6. Rain barrel must not be connected to the irrigation system and must be distributed through a hose or bucket
  7. Should be elevated 6 inches off the ground on a solid foundation
  8. Should be strapped to your home for safety if the height of the barrel is two times greater than the width
  9. Maximum of 4 rain barrels per home

Rain barrels can range in price from $80-$300; they are available for purchase from the major big box stores (Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, Sears, Sam's Club, etc.) or can be purchased online. Amazon.com offers quite a variety. 

 

If you have any questions about applying for the rebate, you can call the So Cal Water Smart hotline: (888) 376-3314.

 

City of Torrance 
City of Torrance

Torrance Transit Offers FREE Holiday Bus Service for Shoppers

 

In the spirit of providing easy access to shopping along the Hawthorne Boulevard corridor this holiday season, Torrance Transit will offer the Torrance community its annual "Shopper's Special Bus" service. Continuing free bus service every Saturday and Sunday will be available through Dec. 21.
Read More

 

Legislation Corner 

California Lawmakers Look to 2015 for Drought Legislation
   

California lawmakers' failure to pass water legislation this Congress raises questions about strategy, tactics and the ability to learn from falling short. It also sets the stage for next year when - wait for it - the whole anti-drought drama returns for an encore.

South Bay in the News 
More Drought-Tolerant Plants, Recycled Water Touted for Los Angeles City Parks

 

Finding ways to keep the city's 435 parks green while saving water, the Los Angeles City Council instructed local agencies to pursue an aggressive policy to increase their plantings of drought-resistant plants and reclaimed water. 

Read More

 

South Bay Officials Select Inglewood Mayor to Represent Area on Metro Board

 
Dissatisfied with the amount of money allocated to the South Bay for transportation projects, a coalition of local officials voted Thursday to replace Santa Monica Mayor Pam O'Connor with her Inglewood counterpart as the regional representative on the Metro board.

Read More

 

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December 2014 Events & Workshops 
Click Here to See a List of Upcoming Workshops & Events