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November: a Month to
Express Our Thankfulness
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November, 2023
Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment
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Tour the Water Replenishment Districts Water Recycling Facility Virtually | |
Help SBESC Celebrate its 20th Anniversary; Enter the "Sustainability In Action" Photo Contest | |
Save Up to $1,500 through LADWP by Installing an Energy Star Heat Pump | |
THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF THE SOUTH BAY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CENTER | |
On September 28 the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) hosted a reception celebrating the 20th anniversary of its South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC).
Since 2003, the SBESC has collaborated with its 16 member cities and portions of Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles, public utility providers and various agencies, to provide a wide variety of environmental resources to South Bay cities, school districts, residents and businesses.
SBCCOG Chair and Carson Council Member Cedric Hicks led attending board members, partners, community and staff down memory lane with “The South Bay’s Journey to Green”—a presentation highlighting SBESC programs through the years. Learn more about the SBESC and its programs and read the complete “South Bay’s Journey to Green Timeline" here.
Also, checkout our Facebook page to see more photos from the event here.
Pictured above: From left: Ivana Dorin, program manager, The Energy Coalition; Jenyffer Vasquez, water policy and resources analyst, West Basin Municipal Water District; Leah Myhre, project manager, The Energy Coalition; E.J. Caldwell, general manager, West Basin Municipal Water District; Kim Fuentes, executive deputy director, SBCCOG; Gus Meza, senior water policy and resources analyst, West Basin Municipal Water District; Harold C. Williams, MSCE, P.E., immediate past board president, West Basin Municipal Water District; Bernadette Suarez, Lawndale Council member; Cedric Hicks, SBCCOG board chair and Carson Council member; Jacki Bacharach, executive director, SBCCOG; and Rodney Tanaka, SBCCOG 1st vice chair and Gardena Council member.
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The West Basin Municipal Water District is encouraging high school students and young adults to discover a career in water. Not only are billions of dollars being invested in Southern California’s water infrastructure, but an aging workforce is creating many openings in the workplace. This makes now a fitting time to break into the industry.
West Basin would like individuals to consider the fulfilling work, good pay and benefits, and training opportunities available to help meet the critical water needs of our communities and environment.
Benefits of Working in the Water Industry:
- Satisfaction of providing essential benefit to your community.
- Impending retirements indicate room for long-term career growth.
- Retirement benefits for public agencies.
- Competitive benefits (i.e.; education stipend program, paid training opportunities).
- Job security – water is an essential resource for humans.
Link to learn more about the water workforce.
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS RENAMES PLANT AT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION | |
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The Sanitation Districts celebrated their 100th anniversary of owning and operating one of the largest and oldest wastewater recycling programs in the world since 1923.
The event was attended by Sanitation Districts board members, retirees, and community leaders, and featured remarks from the City of Carson Mayor Lula Davis‐Holmes, Sanitation Districts Board Chair Cathy Warner, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn, State Senator Steven Bradford, Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, and Sanitation Districts Chief Engineer and General Manager Robert Ferrante.
The agency serves 5.5 million people in 78 cities and unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County protecting public health and the environment. The agency converts waste into resources like recycled water, green energy and recycled materials.
In 2022, the agency announced that it was carbon negative. This means the agency offset more greenhouse gases than it produced. To commemorate the event, the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant was renamed the A.K. Warren Water Resource Facility after the agency’s first chief engineer and to reflect the facility’s mission to convert waste into resources.
More photos from the Centennial Event can be seen here.
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DECLUTTER AT LACSD'S HAZARDOUS AND ELECTRONIC WASTE DISPOSAL EVENTS | | |
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The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste Collection Program (HHW) gives Los Angeles County residents a legal and cost-free way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals that cannot be disposed of in the regular trash.
Learn about the upcoming events here.
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EXPLORE HOW WATER IS RECYCLED
WITH WRD'S VIRTUAL, INTERACTIVE 360 TOUR
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The five-acre Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling & Environmental Learning (ARC) is located in the City of Pico Rivera, California.
ARC is a multipurpose and multi-benefit site which encapsulates the Water Replenishment District's commitment to the community through the construction of a state-of-the-art Advanced Water Treatment Facility, a fully digital Learning Center, and a Demonstration Garden.
The facility treats 14.8 million gallons per day of purified water which is then used to recharge the groundwater aquifers. Nearly 50% of the water demands for 4 million residents needs are met in WRD’s 420-square-mile service area located in southern Los Angeles County. The ARC facility is the capstone project of WRD’s Water Independence Now (WIN) program which created a locally sustainable water supply for groundwater replenishment.
Explore the ARC Facility here.
Learn about upcoming in-person tours here.
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THE CITY OF TORRANCE ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO RECYCLE ORGANIC WASTE | |
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The City of Torrance launched its Organic Waste Recycling Program for residential customers earlier in January.
All food waste is required to be placed directly into residents existing green waste containers.
Organic waste is mainly comprised of food scraps and yard waste such as landscaping and pruning waste.
This is a mandated law and was adopted by California Senate Bill 1383, which requires all communities to reduce the disposal of organic waste in landfills by 75% by 2025.
Learn more about Organic Waste Recycling here.
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METRO WANTS CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
TO IMPROVE SERVICES
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority encourages riders to provide feedback of their ridership experience.
Metro is doubling down on their promise to listen, learn and improve their services from the input heard from their customers.
Check out our new CX Hub for regular updates.
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CONSERVE NATURES MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE THROUGH HARVESTING RAINWATER
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The South Bay Rainwater Harvesting Program provides helpful information and resources for homeowners on how to capture rainwater for use in the garden, patio or other places on a property.
Learn more ways to conserve nature's most precious resource here.
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LADWP CUSTOMERS CAN EARN UP TO $1,500 IN INCENTIVES FOR INSTALLING HOT WATER HEAT PUMPS | |
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The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power encourage their customers to take advantage of the Consumer Rebate Program (CRP).
The CRP is available to residential customers to promote the use of energy-efficient products. The program is designed to both educate and encourage residential customers to purchase and install qualifying products in their home.
Currently, up to $1,500 in incentives are being offered to customers when installing an Energy Star Hot Water Heat Pump.
For a complete list of available rebates offered click here.
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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE SoCalREN | |
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Over the past decade, the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) has provided a strong foundation for regional energy efficiency and resiliency. Across the public, residential, and workforce education and training sectors, their programs have delivered a majority of benefits to underserved communities.
Their services have helped participants save more than 135,000,000 kWh of energy and $20.3 million in annual energy cost savings while creating more than 1,500 clean energy jobs.
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Read more about how SoCalREN has empowered sustainable communities over the last 10 years, and their plans for the future: Celebrating 10 Years of SoCalREN
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HELP FAMILIES SAVE MONEY THROUGH
KITS FOR KIDS PROGRAM
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The SoCalREN Kits for Kids Program introduces third and fourth graders at participating schools to perform an interactive scavenger hunt and receive energy-efficient items at no cost that can help their families save energy and money.
During the program each household installs the items in their home. Each enrolled classroom is eligible to receive a $1,000 grant if 65% of students provide proof of installation. Learn more here.
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SBCCOG THANKS VOLUNTEERS FOR BRINGING "INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE AND ENERGY" TO PROGRAMS | |
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ENTER THE SBESC 20TH ANNIVERSARY
"SOUTH BAY SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION" PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
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As the South Bay Cities Council of Governments continues its celebration of the 20th anniversary of its South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) program, it invites the community to submit photos that demonstrate sustainable action in their cities and the South Bay.
Creativity is welcome, but ideas include replacing grass with drought-tolerant plants, planting a tree, taking part in a beach cleanup, installing solar panels and collecting water in a rain barrel. We want to see how you are being a good steward of this beautiful place we call the South Bay.
Entries must be received by 5 p.m., on December 15
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For more information and to submit your entry, visit here. | |
JOIN THE CALIFORNIA GREEN BUSINESS NETWORK | |
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The California Green Business Program (CAGBN) is a network of local programs operated by counties and cities throughout California. Businesses in El Segundo, Hawthorne and Torrance are eligible to join the CAGBN.
Businesses that apply receive personal attention from the public agencies and utilities that serve them. The program is funded by grassroots contributions from local government and utility partners to make it accessible to small to medium-sized businesses in California.
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Participation is free and easy.
To learn more and apply, go to the California Green Business Network website, or contact Martha Segovia for help getting registered, and start saving today at
310-371-7222 or
martha@southbaycities.org.
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LEARN ABOUT SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | |
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SANITATION DISTRICTS OFFER WORK OPPORTUNITIES THAT
POSITIVELY IMPACT PUBLIC HEALTH
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Los Angeles Sanitation Districts is offering work opportunities that keep people safe, protect the environment and provide opportunities for professional growth.
For a full lists of job openings visit here.
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Links to Partner Resources En Español:
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