June 2021
Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment
Get a Free Rain Barrel Delivered To Your Home

Last chance to get a free rain barrel for the next rainy season. Plan ahead and get a free sustainable rain barrel (valued at $100) from West Basin Municipal Water District delivered directly to your door.

Check eligibility and sign-up today by visiting their website (limited quantities available) here.
Be Water Wise

Click graphic below to learn about rebates available for water efficiency practices and products available to residents and commercial businesses.
Get a First-Hand Look at How Water is Recycled
Click flyer below for information about the upcoming virtual tour.
Metro will Test Fareless Rides
The Metro Board of Directors recently approved going forward with development a fareless pilot program to benefit students and low-income riders and to determine whether fareless transit could be expanded to more riders.
Also, learn about other Metro programs such as Vanpool and ExpressLanes.
Pathway to Zero Offers Sustainable Strategies for Disadvantaged Communities

Did you know? Public agencies can take advantage of facility benchmarking services, distributed energy resources (DER) audits, and technical services through SoCalREN’s Pathway to Zero program. Pathway to Zero is exclusively offered to low-income, rural, and disadvantaged communities, and these special program services are available through December 31, 2021, 

What DER services are available?
Pathway to Zero offers DER audits and analysis to provide public agencies with a customized high-level review of DER options and other sustainability strategies, providing the information needed to choose the right DERs for their facilities. Examples of DER and sustainability strategies supported include photovoltaic (solar) and battery storage systems, electric vehicles, demand response, solar hot water heating, and water efficiency. SoCalREN also supports agencies beyond the audit, offering technical assistance through procurement, construction, and project closeout. DER services include financing and incentive support such as application assistance for SCE’s Charge Ready 2 Program and more.

What benchmarking services can my agency receive?
SoCalREN’s no-cost enhanced benchmarking allows agencies to unlock comprehensive energy analysis beyond standard portfolio energy analysis services. Agencies can leverage SoCalREN’s support to build a complete ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® (ESPM) dashboard, which allows them to better track and assess energy use across all their facilities. SoCalREN can also provide custom facility energy use reports, on-site benchmarking to eliminate data gaps, and ESPM certification support. Pathway to Zero can also support agencies seeking to comply with California’s Building Energy Benchmarking Program, also referred to as AB 802. 

Pathway to Zero Program funding is limited. Reach out to your SoCalREN Project Manager today to see if your facility is eligible for benchmarking and DER services!
Could Hydrogen Fuel Your Home in the Future?

Hydrogen is going mainstream. And now SoCalGas wants to show how this clean energy source can fuel homes. The utility is set to build the "H2 Hydrogen Home," a first of its kind demonstration project in the U.S. 

The H2 Hydrogen Home is designed with solar panels, which will power the project's home on sunny days and also provide excess electricity that will be stored for night use and cloudy days. Some of that extra electricity will charge a home battery for short-term energy storage. The rest of the solar power will be converted to clean hydrogen using an electrolyzer and stored until needed. That stored hydrogen will also be converted back to electricity with an on-site fuel cell. And finally, the hydrogen will be blended with natural gas and used in the home's heat pump HVAC unit, water heater, clothes dryer, and gas stove.
SoCalREN Multifamily Program Saves Money and Energy for Property Owners, Managers and Contractors
Looking to lower your multifamily property’s operating costs and other ongoing expenses? Now with our innovative funding option, the money you save in the future on energy costs is used to pay for new equipment you can install and use today. See how the SoCalREN Multifamily Program can help you reduce monthly utility costs. For more information on eligibility requirements for your property, please click link below.
Learn About Sustainable Water in Southern LA County Virtually - June 16
With more time for home projects, why not plant a garden that saves
water while creating a productive ecosystem? The WRD Eco Gardener
program teaches participants about the multiple benefits of planting a
sustainable garden through a series of 1-hour classes. Classes will be
held online and led by a live instructor who can answer questions.

Click flyer below to RSVP.
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Help is Here

LACSD is happy to announce that their 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 listed below:

No South Bay events scheduled at this time
S.A.F.E. (Solvents / Automotive / Flammables / Electronics) Center locations and days/hours of operation in Los Angeles can be found here.
Celebrate with Torrance as it Celebrates 100 Years of Incorporation

From 1912 until 1921, Torrance was a privately held city. In 1921, the population of Torrance was about 1,800, and the community put the idea of incorporating Torrance as a city to a vote. The vote to incorporate passed, 355-11, and the city was formally incorporated in May, 1921. Today, Torrance is a diverse, growing and thriving community. Join the city in celebrating this milestone by experiencing all that Torrance has to offer! Each week the city will release 10 new experiences for you to enjoy. 
On the Go
News for Southern California Commuters: May / June 2021
Learn about opportunities for ridesharing, public transportation, and the benefits that an Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) can offer your workplace. This monthly newsletter addresses the broad audience of commuters that rely on transportation agencies from Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and Ventura County.
California Green Business Network (CAGBN)
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. We will
be critical in helping SMBs increase
efficiency, bring in customers, and
cut costs so they can bounce back.
Businesses in Torrance and Hawthorne can join the CAGBN by contacting Martha Segovia: (310) 371-7222 martha@southbaycities.org
Home Share South Bay
Homesharing Offers Win-Win for Homeowners and Renters
Are you a homeowner looking for extra monthly income? Help around the house? Companionship? Home Share South Bay is a new program 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.
 Links to Partner Resources En Español: