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Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

Volume 12, Number 1

 January 2016 
IN THIS ISSUE...
Calling Volunteers!
Energy Upgrade CA
SCG
SCE
Sanitation Districts
West Basin
City of Torrance
L.A. Metro
Legislation Corner
South Bay in the News
January 2016 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

2016 REBATE INFORMATION 

  

Southern California Gas Company  

 

Southern California Edison

 

West Basin Municipal Water District  

 

 En Espaņol

 

Southern California Gas Company


Southern California Edison

 

Sanitation Districts of LA County


Metro - "El Pasajero"

 

 

 

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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 Carson
City of El Segundo
City of Hawthorne
City of Inglewood

City of Rancho Palos Verdes

 

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

Did You Know?

Clothes washers in 1990 used 70% more energy than models today.
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?"
 
At the SBCCOG, we are working on a few new programs that will roll out this year. With county funding, there will be enhanced mobile case management teams that will work to provide services to the homeless in the South Bay and there will also be a homeless services hotline to call. We hope to have this available in February. We are also working on a new ridesharing application that can be used for sharing rides to events as well. And our work on promoting electric vehicles continues as we research the challenge of EV charging in a multi-unit building.
 
The Green Building Challenge will be adding business and property participants to the 65 that we have already joined.  This program is free to businesses and property managers and there are many ways offered to save energy and water while adopting other sustainable practices with lots of recognition along the way.
 
And, if your New Year's resolution is to look for a meaningful way to contribute, inquire about our South Bay Environmental Services Volunteer Program.
 
Happy 2016!
  

Jacki Bacharach
Energy Upgrade California
Energy Upgrade California Community Outreach Ambassador Grant

The SBCCOG was awarded an Energy Upgrade California Community Outreach Ambassador grant to support 2016 community outreach activities. Energy Upgrade California is a state initiative to help Californians take action to save energy and conserve natural resources, help reduce demand on the electricity grid, and make informed energy management choices at home and at work. It is supported by an alliance of the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, utilities, regional energy networks, local governments, businesses, and nonprofits to help communities meet state and local energy and climate action goals. Funding comes from investor-owned utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Look for us at events throughout the South Bay; be sure to visit our exhibit for a chance to spin the wheel for a prize! 
 

Southern California Gas CompanyThe Gas Company

Seminar Schedule

  

Choose from a list of seminars covering sustainability, HVAC and industrial subject matter.

Read More

 

Return to Top

Southern California EdisonSCE  
SCE Customer Bills to Decrease in January
 
Following a 2-percent decrease in November, an average Southern California Edison customer's bill will go down another 6 percent in January.
On December 17, 2015, the California Public Utilities Commission approved SCE's 2016 costs for energy sources the utility needs to supply electricity, which is the main factor in January's rate decrease. These costs are approved annually. SCE generates about 20 percent of its own power and buys the rest through contracts and short-term markets.
 
Sanitation Districts of LA County
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County's Pharmaceutical Take-Back Website is Live
 
Many residents are unsure of safe disposal methods for unused prescription drugs, needles, syringes, lancets, and other medical products. Currently, proper disposal services are limited, representing a significant public health problem. The Board of Supervisors recently passed a motion directing staff to draft an Extended Producer Responsibility ordinance requiring manufacturers and producers to develop and fund convenient collection services for LA County residents. 

West Basin Municipal Water DWest Basinistrict 
FREE Rain Barrel Distribution in Inglewood: January 23rd

Register here to receive a free rain barrel at West Basin's upcoming January event in Inglewood (must reside in West Basin's service area to participate). 

For information about rain barrel and cistern rebates offered by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, visit http://socalwatersmart.com.

City of Torrance 
City of Torrance
Torrance Expands Sandbag Program; Offers Online El Nino Resource
 
To keep up with the deluge of rain that is expected with this winter's El Nino storm system, the City of Torrance is offering sandbags to Torrance residents around the clock.

In addition to being able to get free sandbags at the City Yard, the Public Works Department announced that sandbags will be available for pick-up at Fire Station 1. The second location was added to handle after-hours requests.

Residents can get up to 25 bags. Find out more about the sandbag program on the City's website.

L.A. Metro
How LA's Metro is Trying to Get More Seniors on Public Transit
 
As Baby Boomers reach retirement age, they will usher in a massive explosion of the senior population across America. Right now, around 12 percent of Los Angeles County is over the age of 65. By 2030, that number will jump to 20 percent. That's double the amount of senior citizens LA had in 2000. With this unprecedented demographic shift, comes a changing set of societal accommodations to better serve a graying population. Businesses, industry, and even public transportation will have to grapple with the aging of the Boomers. KPCC, radio 89.3 FM, reports that Metro is already thinking ahead, taking steps to prepare itself for the increase in aging riders.

Learn more about Metro's Vanpool and ExpressLanes programs.

Legislation Corner 
Tax Breaks, Falling Costs Are Boosting Wind And Solar
 
Right before the holidays, Congress approved tax credits for clean energy. It was just a tiny part of a $1.8 trillion spending bill, but solar and wind power companies say it's a Christmas present that will catapult their industry forward. Analysts are predicting a big boost in wind and solar projects over the next few years.

South Bay in the News 
Honeybees at Work
 
Have you heard the latest buzz? Los Angeles has laid out the backyard welcome mat for honeybees.

Urban beekeepers couldn't be happier. After several years of discussion, lawmakers recently joined an increasing number of cities, including Redondo Beach, in attempts to help protect them.
Read More

Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste the Right Way on Saturday, February 27, 2016 in Gardena

Sponsored jointly by the Sanitation Districts and the Department of Public Works, the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program gives Los Angeles County residents a legal and cost free way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals that cannot be disposed of in the regular trash.

January 2016 Events & Workshops 
Click Here to See Upcoming Workshops & Events