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Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

Volume 11, Number 1

January 2015 
IN THIS ISSUE...
Calling Volunteers!
SCG
SCE
L.A. Metro
Sanitation Districts
West Basin
City of Torrance
Legislation Corner
Cities in the News
January 2015 Events & Workshops
A Worthy Read
Interesting Domestic and International Articles Discussing the Environment, Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation




 

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 

REBATE INFORMATION 

  

Southern California Gas Company  

 

Southern California Edison

 

West Basin Municipal Water District  

 

 En Español

 

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?

 A laptop battery should never (or at least seldom) go below 20% or rise above 80%. Your battery will probably last a little longer because of it.

Message From the Executive Director of SBCCOG

 

January is a month of new starts. For those of us in government, we watch Congress going back in session as well as our legislators in California. Budgets are introduced and the political clamor begins for a new year.  In our personal lives, we make resolutions and evaluate how we might change and grow in the New Year. We ask the question - "Where are we going and where do we want to go?"

 

Bringing this question to our daily lives, maybe this is the year that we look at how we get around and try making some changes. Using the web or for those with smartphones, there are many new choices.  Using your phone or computer, you can get a taxi, Uber or Lyft ride. You can find a car2go vehicle and drive off yourself. Or you can find the location and time for the next bus. You can join a group and vanpool to relieve the stress of your commute, giving you more snooze time. Or if you still have to drive, you can look at trip chaining. The "Drive less.Save more." website has the following tips for trip chaining:

  • Develop a list of errands for the week. Think ahead about everything you need to do and get it done all at once. That way, you won't need to make a last-minute trip to the store.
  • Combine errands. Do you need to pick up your dry cleaning today? Why not pick it up tomorrow when you go grocery shopping? Try combining errands in just one trip.
  • Group your appointments together. For example, if both kids need to go to the dentist, make it just one trip.
  • Plan the best route and avoid backtracking. There are a number of internet sites that can help you plan the shortest most efficient route and avoid needless travel.

And, consider doing your driving in an all-electric or a plug-in hybrid electric car. 


 

Happy 2015!


 

Jacki Bacharach


 

Southern California Gas CompanyThe Gas Company

Seminar Schedule - First Quarter 2015

  

Covering an array of material sustainabilty, HVAC and industrial subject matter, see what topics interest you that are slated for the first quarter of 2015! 

See Schedule

 

Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Warning

A blockage in an exterior sewer line may be caused by a natural gas pipeline. There is a rare chance that a natural gas pipeline may have penetrated the sewer line when it was installed. If this occurred, an auger "snake" could cause damage to the gas line when clearing the sewer line, which may result in a gas leak. 

Read More

 

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Southern California EdisonSCE  

9 Ways to Make Your Refrigerator More Efficient

 

If you can't afford to replace your refrigerator or freezer, there are still some things you can do to make your existing refrigerator or freezer run more efficiently.

Read More

 

Basic HVAC Seminar at SBESC Office in February

 

Technicians, maintenance workers and other new-comers to the field will learn the basics of HVAC systems in both residential and commercial applications. Attendees will learn how various HVAC systems and applications can save energy and which units have the best overall value.

Read More

 

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L.A. Metro
ExpressLanes & Vanpool

 

2014 Accomplishments:

  • Metro ExpressLanes successfully completed the one-year demonstration period in February, exceeding expectations for congestion reduction and sustainability.
  • The Metro Board of Directors approved continuing the ExpressLanes program, and the Governor signed state legislation to make them permanent.
  • The Metro Board also awarded over $20 million in net toll revenue grants to be reinvested in the I-110 and I-10 corridors and approved a series of physical improvements to further enhance the program.
  • In November, Metro celebrated the two-year anniversary of the I-110 ExpressLanes.

2015 Look Ahead:

  • Metro ExpressLanes will strive to continue to improve travel speeds and reduce congestion.
  • Metro staff will develop an ExpressLanes Strategic Plan and will begin the planning efforts for potential expansion of ExpressLanes.

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Sanitation Districts of LA County

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County

Palos Verdes Recycle Center to Close

 

Due to significant unavoidable rising costs and the availability of alternate facilities and programs, the Palos Verdes Recycle Center (PVRC) will close permanently on March 31, 2015. Operating losses and the cost of site improvements required by new state regulations make the continued operation of the PVRC infeasible. A public information meeting to learn about other recycling centers in the area will be conducted in the Frances Young Hall at the South Coast Botanic Garden at 6:30 p.m. on February 17. The address is 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula, 90274. 

Read More
 

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West Basin Municipal Water DWest Basinistrict 
Catch the Rain & Savings with FREE Rain Barrels

 

It's not too late for residents in West Basin's service area to catch the rain and water savings with a free rain barrel. Pre-registration is required,  call 310-371-4633 and see their flyer for more details and guidelines. Rain barrels are provided on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

 

Collecting and reusing rainwater reduces the amount of water flowing into storm drains, local waterways, and ensures that every drop of water is being used efficiently.

 

Cash For Kitchens 2015

 

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments' Environmental Services Center is working with West Basin Municipal Water District to promote CASH FOR KITCHENS, a program for restaurant and commercial kitchens in the South Bay (public agency and non-profit sites also qualify). When you sign up for CASH FOR KITCHENS, your business or non-profit will receive a FREE water-use survey of your kitchen and free water conservation training materials to help employees maintain water efficient practices.  

Read More

 

City of Torrance
 
City of Torrance

Hotel in Torrance Creates New Green Space for Weddings

 

Courtyard Los Angeles Torrance/Palos Verdes is taking its green efforts to the next level with the completion of a landscaping renovation project that will not only save the hotel money but will help take the edge off of California's severe drought. 

Legislation Corner 

Gov. Jerry Brown Begins Last Term With a Bold Energy Plan

 

Gov. Jerry Brown began his fourth and final term on Monday proposing a broad reduction in California's energy consumption over the next 15 years - including a call to slash gas consumption by cars and trucks by as much as 50 percent - as part of what he said would be a sweeping campaign to heighten the state's role in the fight against global warming.


Cities in the News 
San Pedro Residents Applaud News that Gaffey Won't See Lane Reductions

 

Ultimately, 40 streets citywide will be targeted for the improvements that include landscaping, beautification and pedestrian-friendly elements such as sidewalk extensions and dining.

 

Goals of the Great Streets Initiative project are to increase access to public transit, beautify the area, improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, and promote revitalization efforts supporting small businesses.

Read More

 

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January 2015 Events & Workshops 
Click Here to See a List of Upcoming Workshops & Events