December 2021
Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment
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Learn the Extensive Route Energy Travels to Power Up The South Bay |
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Metro Fare Collection Resumes, but Discounts are Available |
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LADWP Shares Urgent Water Conservation Message |
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Earn Rebates for Saving Water with Change & Save Program
West Basin Municipal Water District's Change & Save program rewards residents for saving water by replacing indoor water fixtures with rebates. This program offers a rebate of up to $500 for the purchase of a qualifying high-efficiency clothes washer, and provides free water-saving device kits for eligible service area residents. Your conservation kit will be mailed to you within two to three weeks.
Sign up to receive a FREE water-saving device kit here.
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LADWP Shares Urgent Water Conservation Message
In response to the state’s announcement of an initial 0% allocation of water from the State Water Project (SWP), the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is alerting customers to the severity of the water shortage the state and the region are facing and urging immediate steps to reduce water use.
LADWP receives a significant portion of its annual water supply from regional water wholesaler, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Through MWD, LADWP receives an average of 40% of its water supply from the SWP via the California Aqueduct, and in dry years can receive approximately 60%.
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Virtual Tour Shows How Waste Water is Made Useable Again |
Find out how water is recycled at LACSD's Valencia Water Reclamation Plant.
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Metro Fare Discounts Offered to Riders as Fare Collection Resumes |
Fare collection resumes on the Metro bus system on January 10. Because fares help keep the system running, Metro is restarting fare collection, along with front-door only boarding Jan. 10.
To help everyone get where they are going and save money, big fare discounts on Metro's regular fares and low-income fares are being offered.
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Energy Makes Extensive Journey Before Powering Up the South Bay
The energy we use to produce electricity powers our homes, offices, and businesses, but it’s also used in other ways throughout our community that may not be as obvious.
Energy typically has a long, resource-intensive journey from its extraction to our power outlets. Energy also goes far beyond electricity. Water is used to produce energy, and energy is used to transport and treat water.
The interconnectedness of water with energy is called the water-energy nexus. To move water from a source (such as the Central Valley watershed) to our taps, water must be pumped through a system of pipes that requires a vast amount of electrical energy. Imagine the tremendous amount of energy required to push water over California’s rolling hills and mountains. About 12% of electrical energy in California is used to transport water. This fact is even more relevant to those of us living in Southern California, since the majority of our water has to travel further than it does for other areas. When we save water, we’re also saving the energy needed to transport that water.
Public agencies in the South Bay are saving water and energy with the SoCalREN Public Agency Programs, including the cities of El Segundo, Lomita, Manhattan Beach and Torrance. Learn more about how SoCalREN Public Agency Programs are helping the South Bay save energy at socalren.org/agencies.
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SoCalGas Talks Clean Fuels at 2021 California Economic Summit
In recent remarks at the California Economic Summit, SoCalGas President Maryam Brown emphasized the importance of an integrated energy system, where the electric and gas grids work together to deliver reliable energy, and how clean fuels play an increasingly crucial role in achieving California’s net-zero goals.
"Energy is complex because it must be several things at once – affordable, equitable, safe, reliable, resilient and clean,” Brown told the audience of more than 400 attendees in Monterey. “To advance the energy transition and address all those factors, SoCalGas is leaning into the role of clean fuels like hydrogen and renewable natural gas."
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SoCalREN Multifamily Program Helps Property Owners, Managers and Contractors Make Energy-Saving Upgrades |
The SoCalREN Multifamily Program provides property owners and managers two ways to help upgrade their property:
- Technical Assistance: an energy and green building consultant will work with you to identify cost-effective upgrade measures for your project and connect you to applicable incentive Programs.
- Incentives: Improvement incentives help offset the cost of purchasing and installing energy conservation measures, such as upgrades to lighting, water heating, and HVAC systems.
Opportunities for improvements can range from a system replacement to a full rehabilitation. The program design is based on analysis of how your property uses energy, and encourages full building, integrated upgrades rather than individual measures. Ready to get started? Fill out its Interest Form.
Participating Contractors can offer their multifamily property owner customers incentives to offset the cost of energy efficiency upgrades.
If you work in HVAC, lighting, or water heating, you can work with SoCalREN to grow your business in the multifamily market. Enjoy benefits for your business and access help to ensure your success.
Learn more about becoming a Participating Contractor today by clicking here.
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Join WRD for a Virtual Winter Gardening Class on December 15 |
The Lillian Kawasaki Eco Gardener Program teaches homeowners about the multiple benefits of planting a sustainable garden through a series of in-person classes.
Whether you attend one or all of them, you are certain to walk away with knowledge about sustainable garden design concepts as well as plant and material selections for creating an attractive, water efficient garden.
To protect public health, WRD has postponed in person Eco-Gardener Classes until further notice. Instead, it is offering virtual classes. It offers on-demand and live webinar options.
The on-demand classes are accessible anytime using the link you receive when you RSVP.
The live webinar classes have a set date and time, and are led my an instructor who can answer your questions. Visit the link to see dates and times for upcoming classes and click the link to RSVP.
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Help to Unload Household Hazardous Waste is Here
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S.A.F.E. (Solvents / Automotive / Flammables / Electronics) Center locations and days/hours of operation in Los Angeles can be found here. |
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Navigate How to Live with Urban Coyotes in Torrance
The coyote is a member of the dog family and is native to California. It closely resembles a small German shepherd dog with the exception of the long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail.
The coyote's high-pitched, yodel-like yapping can frequently be heard at night. Coyotes are extremely adaptable and can survive on whatever food is available.
Coyotes are an important part of the ecosystem, helping to keep the rodent populations under control. They hunt rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals. Coyotes are by nature fearful of humans.
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California Green Business Network (CAGBN) |
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California Green Business Network Helps Businesses Through Uncertain Times
The California Green Business
Network quickly switched to virtual
assistance for small businesses and
is helping them adapt during this
challenging economic time. It will be critical in helping SMBs increase
efficiency, bring in customers, and
cut costs so they can bounce back.
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Businesses in Torrance, Hawthorne and El Segundo can join the CAGBN by contacting Martha Segovia: (310) 371-7222 or martha@southbaycities.org
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Homesharing Offers Win-Win for Homeowners and Renters
Are you a homeowner looking for extra monthly income? Help around the house? Companionship? The SBCCOG has partnered with Silvernest to create a program called Home Share South Bay. It's designed to match homeowners who have extra room(s) in their home with someone in need of housing due to high rents and cost of living. Homesharing is a way to relieve financial pressure.
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Links to Partner Resources En Español:
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