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Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

Volume 12, Number 3

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

Based on revenues gains last year in the various advanced energy segments - including solar, wind, gas turbines, biofuels, energy storage and building efficiency technologies - the last grabbed the biggest share of revenues, at $63.6 billion globally and $52.8 billion in the U.S., according to the Advanced Energy Economy group.
Investments in building efficiency technologies took 30 percent of what the organization estimates is a $1.4 trillion global advanced energy market. 
Message From the Executive Director of SBCCOG

While on high alert for El Nino during a February that saw less rain and more extreme heat than expected, the new norm of the South Bay's climate appears to display more radical swings in weather. Even though March has already brought some heavy bouts of rain, we must be prepared to handle both flood and drought conditions. For example, placing sandbags around your home can help direct water away from your property, and a properly filled sandbag should weigh between 30-45 pounds. Also, if you have rain barrels, make sure that they are not placed on an impervious (e.g. paved) surface. Rain barrel water overflow during heavy rains can pool or seep into your house or garage foundation.
 
On another note, thank you to those of you that attended our 17th Annual General Assembly last month. There are presentation materials and photos for those who missed out, which are now posted here. Check out this insightful write-up of the event from the Daily Breeze here as well.
  

Jacki Bacharach
 
Sue Herber, former Torrance City Clerk, wins energy saving LEDs to brighten her garden at SBESC exhibit drawing during the 17th Annual General Assembly.
 
Energy Upgrade California
Go Green Financing

To help you find the best financing options available for your energy efficiency project, Energy Upgrade California has created Go Green Financing. This website allows California residents and businesses to browse our database of financing solutions and filter the various options down to a more manageable number, making it easy to get in touch with a lender that fits your own unique needs and preferences. 
 
Southern California Gas CompanyThe Gas Company
Cost-Saving Programs Help Customers in Need
  
When customers face financial challenges, SoCalGas is here to help with a variety of customer assistance programs that help make monthly natural gas bills more affordable and homes more energy efficient.
 
SoCalGas offers income-qualified customers a monthly discount on their natural gas bills, home improvements at no-cost, and if you suffer from a serious medical condition, SoCalGas can offer natural gas at the lowest rate to help warm up your home.

Southern California EdisonSCE  
Storm Sandbag Tips
 
El Niņo can bring more rainfall and some flooding to parts of Southern California. Placing sandbags around your home can help direct water away from your property. Follow these safety and prevention tips on how to properly use sandbags to protect your home.
Multifamily Property Resource Center

SCE's Multifamily Energy-Efficiency Program offers no-cost energy-saving products including ENERGY STAR Light Fixtures, LED lamps, window evaporative coolers, faucet aerators and low flow shower heads through authorized contractors. 
 
Sanitation Districts of LA County
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
It's Earth Day Time! Celebrate with the Sanitation Districts on April 9.
 
Join Sanitation Districts as they celebrate their 10th Annual Earth Day event! Earth Day 2016 will be held on Saturday, April 9, here at their main office in Whittier. Don't miss this fun and educational event featuring over 50 exhibitors, tours of our water reclamation facility and materials recovery facility, eco-friendly arts and crafts, live entertainment, food, and more. This is the one Earth Day event you don't want to miss! 

West Basin Municipal Water DWest Basinistrict 
Recycling Efforts Recognized By State Water Board

In Feb. 2016, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) adopted an extended and revised emergency regulation to ensure that urban water conservation continues in 2016, as California faces its fifth consecutive year of severe drought. The State Water Board's action maintains the current mandate to conserve 25 percent in urban water usage; however, now, local water agencies such as West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) that have developed drought-resilient water supplies can apply for a supply credit of up to eight percentage points toward the state-mandated water-use targets.
 
City of Torrance 
City of Torrance
Torrance Beats Water Conservation Targets for January
 
Residents have gone above and beyond once again to conserve water. New numbers show that in January, Torrance residents overall conserved 21 percent, one percent more than the state target of 20 percent.

Chuck Schaich, senior administrative water analyst with the City of Torrance, says that recent numbers show that the majority of people are cutting back on outside watering. However, across the state residents combined to save 17 percent in January, missing Gov. Jerry Brown's water savings order.

Last year, the Torrance City Council approved Level 2 water restrictions due to the drought, and to help with meeting state regulations. This included asking residents to limit outdoor watering to certain times, to avoid excessive runoff, and to restrict watering on their property for 48 hours after a rain event.

The water cutback mandate was also extended through October 2016 to keep up water conservation efforts.
L.A. Metro
Acting FTA Administrator Therese McMillan Named Metro Planning Chief
 
Ms. McMillan currently manages a staff of over 500 at the U.S. Department of Transportation, including staff in Washington D.C. and 10 regional offices. She provides executive direction for all functions within the FTA and oversees an annual budget of more than $10 billion in federal formula and competitive grant funds for nearly 1,000 transit agencies and state DOTs across the country. McMillan joined the FTA staff in 2009 as Deputy Administrator.
Read More

Learn more about Metro's Vanpool and ExpressLanes programs.

South Bay in the News 
Providing Service to the Community Through Technology
 
The City of Gardena has launched its new GardenaDirect App which is usable on smart phones, computers, and tablets. The new app, which is free to the public, will provide the community an easy way to receive updates about what is happening in Gardena, submit requests for service, and track their requests. In addition to the variety of services GardenaDirect offers, one of its best features is that it allows an individual to communicate with City staff "real-time" via the app. 

A Few Red Cars Will Return to Los Angeles, Running on Light Rail

The future of San Pedro's Red Cars was not looking so good last summer-the trolley cars were taken out of service in September for a big construction project to realign the road they travel on, but there were no solid plans to bring them back. Now, says the Daily Breeze (via Los Angeles magazine), local officials have been swayed by the outpouring of public support for the Red Cars (and ire over their disappearance) and will be bringing them back as an addition to the huge redevelopment of the Ports O' Call Village shopping complex.

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