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Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

Volume 13, Number 12

 December 2017 

IN THIS ISSUE...
Calling Volunteers!
SBESC
SCG
SCE
LADWP
Renewable South Bay
Travel Pal
WRD
Sanitation Districts
West Basin
City of Torrance
L.A. Metro
South Bay in the News
December 2017 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
( District 2  or   District 4


SBESC Social Media

 

Find us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterView our profile on LinkedIn

 

Don't forget to follow our Partners on social media as well: 

 

SoCalGas - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube

 

Southern California Edison - Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube

 

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power - Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr

 

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County - Facebook

 

Water Replenishment District - Facebook, YouTube

 

West Basin Municipal Water District - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest

 

L.A. Metro - Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube

 

City of Torrance - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Periscope

 

 

 

www.sbesc.com 

Did You Know?

13 States plus D.C. follow the standards set by California Air Resources Board (CARB), which accounts for 113 million Americans, 35% of the U.S. auto market and 35% of the U.S. population.

Message From the Executive Director of SBCCOG

It has been a wonderful year of accomplishments for the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and its Environmental Services Center. A majority of the Climate Action Plans have been completed for our member cities. A successful Climate Action Planning Forum was held to showcase our subregional climate action plan and South Bay Neighborhood Strategy. More businesses took advantage of our Green Business Challenge Program and many municipalities completed energy efficiency upgrade projects as part of the Energy Leader Program. The SBCCOG staff and volunteers worked on residential water conservation activities such as rain barrel give away events and California Friendly Landscape workshops. Also, ending this year on a high note, the Holiday Light Exchange was the most successful ever with sponsorships allowing us to purchase 596 boxes of LED Holiday lights! Lastly, don't miss this month's article thanking and recognizing those participating in the SBCCOG's Volunteer Program. Happy Holidays and a thank you to our readership, for participating in our programs.


Jacki Bacharach
SBESC
10th Annual Volunteer Reception 

On November 16, 2017, Kurt Weideman Chair of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and Councilmember from the City of Torrance led the annual recognition event for the SBCCOG's dedicated volunteers. Other local, state, and federal representatives, as well our utility and agency partners were on hand to join in the festivities honoring our volunteers.

SoCalGas
SoCalGas Launches 34th Annual Gas Assistance Fund Donation Drive
  
As temperatures cool across its service area, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is once again inviting customers and employees to contribute to the company's Gas Assistance Fund, a program that helps income-qualified customers pay their natural gas bill with a one-time grant of up to  $100 per household. Donations will be matched by SoCalGas.
 
Southern California EdisonSCE  
Developing a Path to a Cleaner, Greener Future Leads to Rewards
 
Southern California Edison (SCE) has a long history, more than 130 years, of innovation. So, it should be no surprise that SCE is working to create a cleaner energy future. A future where the electric grid is powered by 80 percent carbon-free energy. A future where there are more than 7 million electric vehicles on California's roads. A more sustainable future with cleaner, healthier air for all Californians.  SCE was recently recognized for its clean energy vision and leadership when it was named Utility of the Year by Utility Dive , a leading industry news publisher.

LADWP
Turf Replacement Program

LADWP's Landscape Incentive Program encourages residents and businesses to replace turf grass with a sustainable landscape. including California friendly plants, mulch, permeable pathways, rain capturing feature, and drip irrigation. Through the end of 2017, residential customers can receive $2.00 per square foot for up to 1,500 square feet of lawn replaced.

Renewable South Bay
Hawthorne Homeowner Saving Energy & Money

Last month, Hawthorne homeowner Alan Logo spoke with HCTV City News about why he used HERO PACE financing to make energy-saving improvements to his home. Alan recently installed energy-efficient windows and rooftop solar, among other upgrades, and is enjoying lower utility bills and a more comfortable home as a result.

Travel Pal
Final Report 

The final report will be available in January 2018, detailing the findings and lessons learned of the pilot program. However, Travel Pal is still available to users. Find a range of travel options for your trip and the impacts associated with each choice, tracking the impact on their costs and local environment. Make more informed decisions about your trips with Travel Pal by visiting the website here

Water Replenishment District
Lillian Kawasaki Eco Gardener Program

The program trains residents, gardeners, landscape maintenance crews to become responsible "green" gardeners by implementing water conservation practices in outdoor landscapes, professional and municipal crews increase their productivity and business skills.  The existing Eco Gardener series is geared towards educating residents on sustainable landscape design, sprinkler and drip system basics, edible gardening, drought-tolerant plants, and water efficient gardening.
 
Sanitation Districts of LA County
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
Bixby Marshland
 
Did you know that, in addition to operating wastewater and solid waste facilities, the Sanitation Districts own and maintain a marshland? Yes, it's true! The Bixby Marshland, a 17-acre marsh, located to the northwest of the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP) near the intersection of Figueroa Street and Sepulveda Boulevard in the City of Carson, has recently been restored by the Sanitation Districts.  Volunteer docents are needed to provide tours and educational programs at the Bixby Marshland.  If you are interested in participating as a docent, please call (562) 908-4288, ext 2308 or email wwert@lacsd.org.


West Basin Municipal Water DWest Basinistrict 
Water Bottle Filling Station Grant Program

The 2017-18 West Basin Water Bottle Filling Station Program pilot was created to provide members of the community with access to  safe and reliable tap water to refill personal, reusable water bottles.West Basin will accept applications so that it may award eligible public entities within the service area with grants up to $1,000 maximum per applicant for use toward the purchase of a filling station. There is still time to get your application in. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

City of Torrance 
City of Torrance
Report Excessive Water Usage
 
California has recently come out of a severe drought but long-term water conservation continues to be a top priority for California. On April 7, 2017 Gov. Jerry Brown issued issued Executive Order B-40-17 that builds on previous actions taken in 2015 and 2016 to address the drought. The Order maintains all restrictions previously imposed and continues to direct State Agencies to develop long-term conservation actions with resiliency and sustained reliability as major objectives. Recycled water is not in short supply and is exempt from these requirements. Many of Torrance's parks use recycled supplies.

L.A. Metro
Public vs Private Efforts to Build Transit Along 405
 
Now, according to plans filed with the City of L.A., it's actually transit pods zooming through the tunnels that would initially run from Inglewood-ish to the San Fernando Valley and then possibly to the new football stadium in Inglewood and DTLA, Union Station and even Dodger Stadium.

Also, learn about other Metro programs such as Vanpool and ExpressLanes.

South Bay in the News 
SCAQMD Requires Refineries to Conduct Fence Line Air Monitoring
 
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) adopted a landmark requirement for the South Bay's seven major oil refining facilities to provide the public with real-time, fenceline air monitoring data by 2020.  The refineries also will have to pay SCAQMD to establish and operate air monitoring systems in communities near the facilities, also by 2020.

December 2017 Events & Workshops 
Click Here to See Upcoming Workshops  & Events