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Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

Volume 11, Number 6

 October 2015 

IN THIS ISSUE...
Calling Volunteers!
Beacon Award Program
Energy Upgrade CA
Home Upgrade
SCG
SCE
Sanitation Districts
West Basin
City of Torrance
L.A. Metro
Staff Spotlight
Legislation Corner
SEED Award
Green Building Challenge
SBESC
South Bay in the News
October 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





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

Residents in San Pedro, Harbor City /Harbor Gateway & Wilmington
County Unincorporated Areas in South Bay

 

 

Find us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterView our profile on LinkedIn

 

 

www.sbesc.com 

Did You Know?

"I signed an Executive Order earlier this year that aims to cut the Federal Government's greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent and increase its share of electricity consumption from renewable sources to 30 percent over the next 10 years."

- Barack Obama
Message From the Executive Director of SBCCOG

October is not only the month that we celebrate Halloween - the year's spookiest holiday, but also it is "Energy Action Month". This is a great time to combine the two and stress the importance of energy efficiency with your whole family. From having your children use LED flashlights when trick-or-treating or not being wasteful when purchasing candy to looking through your wardrobe to see what you already have that can use as a costume, there are many ways you can contribute to a sustainable Halloween this year.
 
Read the articles below to catch up on what our partners are offering during Energy Action Month.
  

Jacki Bacharach
 
Beacon Award Program
SBCCOG 2015 Beacon Spotlight Award Winners

Category:

Agency Greenhouse Gas Reductions:
  • Manhattan Beach 9% Reduction
Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions:
  • Rolling Hills Estates 11% Reduction
  • Manhattan Beach 9% Reduction
Agency Energy Savings:
  • Rolling Hills Estates 27% Savings
Sustainability Best Practices:
  • Platinum Level - Manhattan Beach
  • Silver Level - Rolling Hills Estates
The Beacon Program is a statewide program that recognizes California cities and counties that are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy and adopt policies and programs that promote sustainability.
Energy Upgrade California
What is Home Automation?

Home automation can save energy and make your home more comfortable, but getting started can be a little daunting. That's why we've brought in our resident expert, Bear, to help explain it to you. And not just you, but anyone you can think of. Seriously. Choose from the list below and have Bear explain home automation in a way that's just for you. 

Home Upgrade
Save Energy. Earn Rebates. Fall in Love With Your Home Again.

Energy Upgrade California� Home Upgrade can help you take the next step toward more comfortable, healthy living. Join your neighbors and discover how Home Upgrade rebates and incentives can help you fall in love with your home again. Download a Home Upgrade brochure or request more information here.
Read More

Southern California Gas CompanyThe Gas Company

New Website Coming This October

  

Follow SoCalGas' social media for updates about their new website:

Return to Top

Southern California EdisonSCE  
6 Ways to Make your Dishwasher Energy Efficient
 
Whether you have a new or existing dishwasher, there are a few things you can do to help make your dishwasher run more efficiently. Here are some ways to start saving water and energy today.
 
Sanitation Districts of LA County
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
Bixby Marshland Open for Tours on First Saturday of Every Month
  
The 17-acre Bixby Marshland, located near the intersection of Figueroa and Sepulveda in the City of Carson, was restored by the Sanitation Districts in 2009. This marshland is a unique habitat located in an urban setting. Sanitation Districts is open for free tours on the first Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. They also schedule tours for groups by appointment. For more information, or to set up a tour, contact them at (562) 908-4288, ext. 2301. 
West Basin Municipal Water DWest Basinistrict 
Water Harvest: Save the Date!

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2015
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Place: Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility, 1935 S. Hughes Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

Water Harvest is a FREE family event for the community to learn more about the value of water. This year West Basin will celebrate 20 years of water recycling. As part of the festivities, West Basin will offer tours of the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility, interactive games, kid's costume contest, stage shows, pony rides, reptile petting zoo, food, and the chance to enter into the grand prize giveaway. 
 
City of Torrance 
City of Torrance
Torrance Breaks Ground on Regional Transit Hub that Could Bring Green Line Extension to City
 
A decade after a transit center closed at Del Amo Fashion Center, Torrance finally broke ground Tuesday on the Torrance Transit Regional Park and Ride Terminal on a 7-acre former industrial site near Crenshaw Boulevard and 208th Street.
L.A. Metro
Staff Report: New Details on Long Range Plan Update and Potential Ballot Measure
 
A new Metro staff report is now available that details the agency's ongoing work to update its long-range transportation plan (LRTP). As part of that effort, Metro is looking at a sales tax ballot measure in 2016 to raise money to build projects in the plan.

Learn more about Metro's Vanpool and ExpressLanes programs.

Staff Spotlight 
Cierra Washington 

Cierra joins SBESC after having worked with numerous organizations, including Prototypes, a nonprofit organization that receives funding from the government. As an Office Assistant at SBESC, Cierra is looking forward to learning about how South Bay cities and municipalities work together to improve the environmental well-being and quality of life for its residents and stakeholders. Cierra plans to continue her education in the Administration field and currently enjoys the rapid development of her 1 year old son Dash Dylan.
 
Legislation Corner 
Governor Jerry Brown Signs Climate Change Bill
 
California Gov. Jerry Brown signed an ambitious bill on October 7th to combat climate change by increasing the state's renewable electricity use to 50 percent and doubling energy efficiency in existing buildings by 2030.

SEED Award
SBESC Wins SEED Award
Pictured receiving the award are SBCCOG 1st Vice-Chair, Mayor Jim Knight of Rancho Palos Verdes, SBCCOG staff Marilyn Lyon and Renee Daigneault.

On September 24, 2015, SBESC, a program of South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) won the SEED (SoCal Environmental Excellence Development) award in the Bridge Builder category. To quote the South Bay Business Environmental Coalition that gives out the SEED awards, "The SBESC has been improving the South Bay's environment for many years. This includes all aspects of the environment, from saving water to reducing energy to promoting commuting and alternate fuel vehicles. They have helped cities save tons of money by working to improve energy efficiency and are currently assisting all of its member cities to develop climate actions plans." Also announced at the award ceremony, the SBCCOG has launched a new program for businesses, the South Bay Cities Green Building Challenge.

Green Building Challenge
Press Conference Launch Event
GBC Press Event
The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) held a press conference on September 23, 2015 to launch the Green Building Challenge in Southern California.   Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey, SBCCOG Chair and Lomita Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Gazeley along with other South Bay elected officials, program funding partners Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company and Golden State Water Company in addition to many of the business enrollees to the program were in attendance. Missed it? View event coverage and photos

SBESC
Holiday Light Exchange: November 12, 13 2015 

Each year, we host a Holiday Light Exchange for Southern California Edison customers in the South Bay. Hundreds of incandescent lights are permanently removed and replaced with EnergyStar� rated LEDs. Exchanged incandescent light strands are collected for recycling as E-Waste.  
South Bay in the News 
Curbside Gardening Aims to Provide More Drought-Tolerant Landscape Options
 
Homeowners are kicking their gardens to the curb - literally.
Most homeowners must contend with small swatches of property located just beyond their yards and before the city streets, space seen as a no-man's-land parcel to some. But not anymore.
Read More

October 2015 Events & Workshops 
Click Here to See Upcoming Workshops & Events