Prepare for the Holidays: Four Energy Saving Tips for Decorations

Metro Programs Provide 92 Million Free Rides to Qualifying Los Angeles Resident Since 2021

SoCalGas Takes Important Step in Hydrogen's Future

Four Energy Saving Tips for Holiday Decorations

As you prepare for the holiday season, consider these practical energy-saving tips to help you enjoy your holiday lights while keeping energy costs low: 

1. Use LED string lights. 
2. Use timers for decorations: set indoor and outdoor lights to turn off during daylight hours and late at night to avoid unnecessary energy use.  
3. Use power strips to turn off multiple decorations at once, preventing them from using energy when they're not in use. 
4. Unplug decorations when you are not at home to ensure safety and reduce energy waste. 

Learn more about energy efficiency with our partners at SoCalREN.  

Registrations for LA Metro’s LIFE, GoPass Programs Exceed 1 million 

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced that combined registrations for its LIFE and GoPass programs, which provide free rides and discounted passes to low-income, student, and fire-impacted Angelenos, have exceeded 1 million since 2021, marking a major milestone in the transit agency’s efforts to make transit more equitable and accessible. 

In total, these programs have provided low-income residents, fire-impacted Angelenos, and students from participating school districts with more than 92 million free rides and 14 million rides on discounted passes. 

The Metro GoPass program, which provides free rides to students from participating school districts, has exceeded half a million registered students and 60 million rides during the 2024-2025 school year. The program continues to grow, with 11 new schools and school districts signing on for the 2025-2026 school year so far. 

Read more here. 

Learn about the metro LIFE Program here. 

The GoPass Program includes many South Bay schools: learn more about the program and discover if your school offers GoPass here.

SoCalGas Demonstrates North America’s First 100% Hydrogen-Powered Tankless Water Heater

SoCalGas has successfully powered up North America’s first 100% hydrogen-fueled tankless water heater, marking an important step in exploring hydrogen’s future role as a zero-carbon energy source for residential use. The demonstration is part of SoCalGas’ broader efforts to support the advancement of decarbonized energy technologies. 

Unlike traditional water heaters that store hot water in a tank, tankless water heaters heat water only when needed, offering greater energy efficiency and space savings. 

Read more here. 

Low Water Users May Qualify for Reduced Service Charges

The Low-Water Rebate Program allows residential low-water users to apply for a reduced service charge. The Sanitation Districts estimates discharge based on standard factors that correspond to the type(s) of facilities on parcels. The Low-Water Rebate Program exists because the Sanitation Districts recognize that individuals may have taken steps to conserve water, and that the actual discharge may be significantly less than what the Sanitation Districts estimated. 

Read more about the program here. 

If you’re a resident looking to turn your lawn into a beautiful water-efficient landscape or a business-owner wanting to get ahead of the non-functional turf irrigation ban that takes effect in 2027, then now is the time to take advantage of West Basin Municipal Water District’s (West Basin) FREE landscape designs and up to $6-$7 grass replacement rebates for residential and business/public agency properties before funding runs out!

For West Basin service area residents, this program offers free landscape design services, valued at approximately $1,500, to help start your project.  Since a landscape design is required to apply for the grass removal rebate, it’s the perfect opportunity to keep your yard renovation costs lower than ever, and will allow you to apply for grass replacement rebates up to $6 per square foot of grass removed.

This rebate program could save residents up to $30,000 total for landscape projects that conserve water, reduce runoff, and benefit the local environment. This is the largest rebate amount offered in program history, so take advantage of the chance to get money back for upgrading your landscape and apply now!

Read more here.

Learn more about the Grass Replacement Rebate for Public Agencies and Businesses here. 

Learn more about the Residential Grass Replacement Rebates and Free Landscape Designs here.  

WRD Offers Water Education Programs

WRD loves to share its passion for water and water education with teachers and students of all ages! The Water Replenishment District’s Education Program offers an array of programs featuring interactive student activities that touch on engaging topics such as the importance of groundwater, water treatment, and resource conservation.  

WRD education programs include: 



• ARC Field Trip Program 
• Annual Student Art Calendar Contest 
• Annual Groundwater Festival 
• In-Classroom Visits 
• Science Nights 
• Career Fairs 
• Health Fairs 
• Eco Gardener Classes 

Learn more about WRD’s education programs here. 

Visit our booth at these upcoming South Bay events

where we will be providing information about local water- and energy-saving programs, and other opportunities to help the residents of our subregion.

Job Opportunities

Metro is seeking qualified candidates to join one of the nation’s largest and most innovative transportation systems.

• Departmental Systems Analyst
• Temporary Administrative Intern
• Manager, Transportation Operations
• Electronic Communication Technician

For a full list of Metro job openings, visit their career page here.

Become a SBESC Volunteer

Learn more about

the South Bay Environmental Service Center (SBESC),

Contact Martha Segovia

310-371-7222 or

martha@southbaycities.org

 Links to Partner Resources En Español:

• Metro - "El Pasajero"

Disclaimer

This newsletter is a collaboration of articles written by the partners of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and is published as provided.