South Bay Students Among Winners for the 2026 Water Awareness Calendar

SoCalREN Awards $17,000 to Hawthorne Classrooms through Kits for Kids Program

SoCalGas Takes Steps to Deliver Renewable Natural Gas to Customers

WRD Selects Student Artists for

2026 Water Awareness Calendar

The Water Replenishment District’s 2026 Water Awareness Calendar features conservation-themed artwork created by 24 talented student artists from across Southern Los Angeles County. The calendar serves as a practical reminder of the crucial role water plays in our daily lives and the need to protect it for future generations.

A record 1,500 pieces of art from nearly 125 schools were submitted to the contest this year, making the selection process competitive. Each of the selected winners is awarded school-related supplies and a $75 gift card, which was generously provided by sponsorship funds. Join WRD in celebrating its talented student artists – including eight Students from the South Bay.

Want to participate? The next calendar contest will open in July. Stay tuned for program updates. 

The full list of winners and a digital copy of the calendar are available on the program webpage here. 

$17,000 Awarded to Hawthorne Classrooms through Kits for Kids Program

SBCCOG celebrated 22 classrooms across all seven Hawthorne School District elementary schools in January for their participation in the SoCalREN Kits for Kids program, awarding a total of $17,000 to participating classrooms.

The Kits for Kids program introduces third and fourth-grade students to energy efficiency and how it can help their families save money and improve safety at home. Students participate in an interactive energy lesson and receive a take-home kit filled with energy-saving items such as LED bulbs and nightlights, faucet aerators, and other energy tools.

A celebration was held at Ramona Elementary School, where five participating classrooms earned a total of $5,000.

See a special video about the event and hear from participating teachers here.

SoCalGas Connects Its First Landfill-Based Renewable Natural Gas Project to its Pipeline System 

Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) is now accepting renewable natural gas (RNG) produced at the new WM Simi Valley RNG Facility into its pipeline system, marking the first time SoCalGas has interconnected a landfill-based RNG site with its infrastructure. WM captures landfill gas from its Simi Valley Landfill and the RNG facility processes it into pipeline-quality RNG, which is then delivered into SoCalGas’s pipeline system. This RNG can be allocated to fuel consumption for heavy duty compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and the RNG can be used to fuel homes and businesses. 

These efforts align with SoCalGas’s aim to replace 20% of its traditional natural gas delivery to customers* with natural gas from renewable sources by 2030. 

Learn more here. 

2026 Wastewater Rate Increase Announced

Fourteen of the 24 Sanitation Districts South Bay Cities are considering a change in service charge rates. If you own a property and it is located in 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, and 29 and South Bay Cities Sanitation Districts, at the end of January you should have received a notice in the mail, known as a “Proposition 218 Notice.” In the notice you can find your assessor parcel number, Sanitation District number, and information about the proposed rates that apply to you. See if you are located in one of the effected districts here. 

The Sanitation Districts reviews its finances and the need for rate increases every year. There has been a 54% increase in operations and maintenance costs in the last five years, much of it due to the effects of inflation on chemicals and utilities. Sanitation District needs to raise rates to catch up to its costs and continue providing cost-effective service. 

Read the Prop 218 Mailer here. 

Learn more here.

In partnership with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Water Replenishment District (WRD), West Basin is hosting a series of free in-person classes to equip you with the knowledge and resources to get started on your garden transformation.

Sign up today for the “Transforming Lawns: A Sustainable Approach” class where experts will teach you how to transform your water greedy grass lawn into a sustainable, eye-catching space. Plus, get access to grass-replacement rebates to save even more money along the way.

The class has limited space so register now to claim your spot! If you can’t make it to this session, more classes will be scheduled through June 2026.

Learn more here.

Metro Offers Employer Pass Programs

Attract and retain top talent with commuter benefits. Metro commuter benefits are good for your employees and are great for your business. Metro offers three unique programs to fit a variety of needs. Explore Metro’s programs to find the option that’s right for you and your employees.

Programs include:  

• The Annual Transit Access Pass 
• Employer Pass Program 
• Small Employer Pass 

Learn about these programs and access program applications 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.