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Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

Volume 12, Number 2

 February 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
February 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
 

 

 

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www.sbesc.com 

Did You Know?

According to industry reports, solar power made up about 40% of all new electric capacity installed in 2014. In addition, the nation's solar capacity by the end of 2016 is projected to be double what it was at the beginning of 2015, while costs continue to decline and panel efficiencies increase.

Solar panels are a clean source of energy that harnesses the power of sunlight. You may already know what the signature black panels look like, but do you know how they work (click below to find out)? 

Message From the Executive Director of SBCCOG

We are in the middle of a very busy month at the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG). The fourth Friday in February is always our General Assembly-ourmajor conference of the year. Each year we feature a different topic and on Friday, February 26th from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, we will focus on "Governing in an Era of Disruptive Technologies." The conference will showcase different technologies such as drones, robots and body cameras (just to name a few) and discuss how they are impacting municipal governments in our communities.  
 
Thanks  to our many sponsors (see below), the General Assembly is FREE for everyone to attendIf you are interested in exploring this topic with us before the General Assembly or have a question that you would like to ask before the event, let us know here. Registration is required to aid us in preparation, so if you plan on attending please register here.

Jacki Bacharach


Benefactors:
 

Sponsors:



 
Energy Upgrade California
In the Mood for Lighting?

Exciting things are happening in lighting. From new energy-efficient bulbs to smart-lighting options that you can customize with your phone, you might just find a few new bright ideas for your home.
 
Southern California Gas CompanyThe Gas Company
Find Out How to Lower Your Natural Gas Bills During the Winter Months
  
During winter, heating is often the number-one energy expense for most customers. In fact, heating your home can account for more than half of your total natural gas bill. Colder weather also impacts water heaters since colder temperatures require it to work longer and harder. Water heaters can account for 25% of natural gas use.
 
Southern California EdisonSCE  
My Account Service and Mobile Outage Center Are Now Available in One Simple App
 
You asked for mobile access to My Account service, and SCE listened. Now you can access SCE's upgraded Mobile Outage Center, My Account services, and more from your smart phone.

Download the new MY SCE App to your Andriod or iOS mobile device today!

Southern California Pilot Program to Install 1,500 Car Charging Stations

The $22 million "Charge Ready" program was approved on Jan. 14 by the California Public Utilities Commission. The plan is to build the infrastructure for 1,500 car charging stations across the SoCal region.
 
Sanitation Districts of LA County
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
If You're Not Drinking Treated Sewer Water, You Soon Will Be
  
In the wake of drought and environmental concerns, more water agencies in California and across the West are finding a new water source for human consumption in an unexpected place: the sewer. The treated sewer water isn't going directly to your tap after treatment. In most cases, it's put into an aquifer and withdrawn later - years later.
Read More

West Basin Municipal Water DWest Basinistrict 
West Basin Receives $2 Million in Grant Funds to Expand its Recycled Water System to Palos Verdes Peninsula Area

West Basin Municipal Water District, in partnership with the City of Palos Verdes Estates and Palos Verdes Golf Club, was awarded $2 million by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to provide recycled water to the Palos Verdes (PV) Golf Club, Los Arboles Park and Riviera Elementary School. An established leader in water conservation, the PV Golf Club plans to use recycled water for irrigation to help conserve even more drinking water during this time of severe drought. 
 
City of Torrance 
City of Torrance
A Proud Partnership: City of Torrance and Water Replenishment District of Southern California
 
As of February 2016, the City of Torrance and the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) are pleased to announce the kick-off of construction to expand the Robert W. Goldsworthy Groundwater Desalter Facility located in Torrance. 
 
Once completed, the expansion will double the amount of desalinated groundwater and produce 5 million gallons per day of fresh new drinking water. By removing salt from local groundwater supplies, which were contaminated decades ago by seawater intrusion, the City of Torrance and WRD are cleaning up the basin and creating local reliable supplies to help "drought-proof" our region for future generations.
L.A. Metro
Metro May Run a New Rail Line Right By Inglewood NFL Stadium
 
The planned Los Angeles Rams stadium in Inglewood is just about to get shovels in the ground, relatively close to a future Metro rail line (just shy of two miles from the Crenshaw Line's Downtown Inglewood station), but Metro's Board of Directors is now looking into bringing a rail connection much closer to the venue in the form of a whole new line.

Learn more about Metro's Vanpool and ExpressLanes programs.

Legislation Corner 
Senate Tackles Motor Oil Myth
 
The 3,000-mile oil change may be a thing of the past. The California State Senate recently passed SB 778, authored by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), a bill that would require that motor oil change shops follow the oil change interval specified in the customer vehicle owner's manual when recommending the date or mileage for the next oil change, rather than the decades old 3,000 mile rule-of-thumb. The bill will also require oil change shops to reflect the manufacturer's recommendations in a window sticker or other means.

South Bay in the News 
Rolling Hills Readies for Busy 2016
 
With regard to the drought and water restriction requirements imposed by the state, the city will continue to assist residents in 2016 with information on water conservation methodologies. Although Rolling Hills residents have met the required 36 percent reduction in water usage...

Manhattan Beach's Food Waste Recycling Program

The Manhattan Beach City Council approved a solid waste fee increase and a contract amendment with Waste Management to offer a permanent food waste recycling program to the community. The new permanent food waste program is based on the successful commercial and residential pilot program in the City which began in July 2012. 

Environmental Charter High School Students are Sustainable Champions! 

At Environmental Charter High School, all 10th graders take the required Green Ambassadors class which explores sustainability issues and solutions and empowers students to share these solutions with their community.

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