February 2022
Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment
TOP STORIES
Enter the Water is Life Student Art Contest
Reduce electric, gas and water utility bills with the SoCalREN Multifamily Program
Register to attend a meeting to learn how redistricting will impact your water service
Participate in the 2022 Water is Life Student Art Contest

West Basin Municipal Water District fosters student creativity and helps teachers put the Art in STEAM education by hosting the annual art contest! Student artists help inspire their communities to support water conservation as a way of life by creating eye-catching artwork with smart slogans for water use.

Eligibility: Students in the third through twelfth grade; must attend school in the West Basin Service Area

Due Date: 5 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2022 (via e-mail or standard mail)
Mayor Garcetti Announces More Rebates for Large Water Conservation Projects

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) today announced an eight-fold increase to a financial incentive program that helps multifamily, commercial, and industrial building customers to conserve water.

“At a time of historic drought, we all have a role to play in conserving water,” said Garcetti. “Through this increased rebate, building owners have an opportunity to not just save money, but to help our city save millions of gallons of water every year.”
Take a Virtual Tour of LACSD's Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant on March 12
LA County Sanitation District (LACSD) is hosting virtual tours for its facilities again in March. Recordings of past tours are also available for public access. To see upcoming tour schedules and dates, click the link below.
Temporary Bus and Rain Service Adjustments Begin on Sunday, February 20
Like so many organizations across the country, Metro has been facing staffing shortages in all areas of its operation since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Because of these shortages, Metro is making temporary service adjustments, effective Sunday, Feb. 20, to many of its bus and all rail lines in order to provide riders with more reliable and predictable service.
Also, learn about other Metro programs such as Vanpool and ExpressLanes.
SBCCOG & SoCalREN Address Energy Efficiency Behavior Change in Energy Management Working Group

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) held its first Energy Management Working Group (EMWG) meeting of the year on January 26, 2022.

SBCCOG and SoCalREN staff were joined by seven SoCalREN-enrolled agencies to discuss a recap of California's Building Energy Benchmarking Program (AB802), SoCalREN incentive program updates, an introduction to the Facility Equipment Inventory (FEI) initiative, and an overview of the Behavior Change Challenge aimed at educating city staff on reducing energy use.

At the end of the meeting, agencies discussed challenges and priorities/goals for 2022 with regards to energy efficiency project planning and implementation.
Learn How to Reduce Your Operating Expenses with SoCalREN's Multifamily Program

With increased financial incentives and exclusive financing for energy-saving improvements, the SoCalREN Multifamily Program can assist you in accessing energy-efficient upgrades to help you conserve energy, save money, and add value to your property.  

Participate in Four Easy Steps: 

  1. Access No-Cost Consulting (SoCalREN's team will work with you to identify measures) 
  2. Get an Assessment (the assessment will identify opportunities for upgrades)
  3. Make Improvements (work with a licensed, qualified contractor to install the energy efficiency measures)
  4. Receive Incentives (earn incentives for how much energy is saved, based on the measures installed)
WRD Will Announce Redistricting at February 17 Board of Directors Meeting
Redistricting is a constitutionally mandated redrawing of local, state, and federal political boundaries every ten years following the United States Census. The result of the decennial (every ten years) census is that the lines of every Assembly, Senate, and Congressional District, as well as special districts such as the WRD, may be redrawn to better reflect changes in demographics and/or shifts in the population. 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors of the Water Replenishment District of Southern California will hold a third public hearing to receive public input and testimony regarding proposed re-alignment of the electoral districts for election to the Board (director divisions). The Board will consider plans based on the 2020 Census, presented by the district’s demographic consultant, as well as additional plans that the public may present.
Get Emergency Alerts from the City of Torrance

When there is an emergency, get the information first with TorranceAlerts, the City of Torrance early warning notification system. 

TorranceAlerts is our mass emergency notification system that enables you to receive early warning notifications concerning emergency events such as an earthquake, fire, public health emergency or similar situation. A TorranceAlert will be sent when the city is informing you of a “call to action”, such as evacuate, avoid, shelter, etc. to your telephone, email, and/or text. You can also download the app to receive notifications.
Help to Unload Household Hazardous Waste is Here

LACSD's household hazardous waste and electronic waste roundups have resumed. Please adhere to all COVID-19 safety precautions for these events. Upcoming events in the South Bay are listed below:

S.A.F.E. (Solvents / Automotive / Flammables / Electronics) Center locations and days/hours of operation in Los Angeles can be found here.
California Green Business Network (CAGBN)
California Green Business Network Helps Businesses Through Uncertain Times
The California Green Business
Network (CAGBM) quickly switched to virtual assistance for small businesses and
is helping them adapt during this
challenging economic time. It will be critical in helping small and medium-sized businesses increase efficiency, bring in customers, and cut costs so they can bounce back.
Businesses in Torrance, Hawthorne and El Segundo can join the CAGBN by contacting Martha Segovia: (310) 371-7222 or martha@southbaycities.org
Presents the 22nd Annual General Assembly
When: March 24, 2022
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (check in begins at 8:30 a.m.)

Where: The Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center in Carson, 801 E. Carson St., Carson, CA 90745

Join us for a vibrant discussion featuring entrepreneurs from the private sector discussing how and where they are investing for the future. Their perspective and the projects that they are creating will inform attendees on how cities should be Imagining the future of the South Bay. 
Contact rosemary@southbaycities.org to join list of sponsors below.
Patrons
Southern California Edison

Benefactors
Continental Development Corporation|Mar Ventures
So Cal News Group (Daily Breeze, The Beach Reporter, Palos Verdes Peninsula News)
Port of Los Angeles
Sponsors
American Dark Fiber
Chevron Products Company
Cox Communications
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
South Bay Association of Realtors
The Energy Coalition
Water Replenishment District (WRD)
Watson Land Company
West Basin Municipal Water District
 Links to Partner Resources En Español: