News & Updates: October 2018

October 2018

Save Water, Energy, Money, & the Environment

FREE Rain Barrels for Torrance Residents: November 3rd

City of Torrance is providing its residents with an alternative way to use water resourcefully by hosting a FREE rain barrel distribution event. Each rain barrel includes a 2-3’ flexible downspout, water hose connector, overflow fitting, and built-in mosquito screen. Barrels are made from recycled food barrels, and may be available in black or terra cotta colors.

Smart Thermostat Rebate Up to $150

Receive a $75 bill credit when you enroll your qualifying smart thermostat in the Smart Energy Program through one of our Qualified Service Providers. Receive an additional bill credit or rebate of up to $75 if purchased on or after April 1, 2018, on select qualifying energy-efficient models listed in the Qualified Product List.

Newest Energy-Efficient Commercial Kitchen Equipment

Foodservice professionals will gather later this month at Southern California Gas Co.’s (SoCalGas) 8th Annual Foodservice Equipment Expo, one of the industry’s largest showcases of commercial kitchen equipment. The no-cost event will be held at SoCalGas’ Energy Resource Center in Downey, CA on October 23rd and 24th.

Landscape Transformation Class: November 15th in Redondo Beach

The Metropolitan Water District (MWD) will offer a rebate of $1 per square foot of turf removed from residential and commercial landscapes. West Basin Municipal Water District will be partnering with MWD to offer homeowners a free class designed to help transform your lawn into a more water-efficient landscape. West Basin will be hosting classes throughout local cities, which will teach residents how to incorporate sustainable landscape design elements, alongside California Friendly plants, to assist residents with navigating the turf removal process for their landscapes.

Incorporate rainwater capture into your landscape design plans by registering for a FREE rain barrel distribution event on November 17th in Rolling Hills Estates. Learn more here .

LADWP Approves New Community Solar Power Program for Renters

Recognizing that a large segment of the city’s population is unable to benefit from solar power, the Board of Water and Power Commissioners voted September 25 to launch a new community solar program to improve solar equity for renters and to expand geographic diversity of solar projects in Los Angeles.

Eco Gardener Program

WRD’s Lillian Kawasaki Eco Gardener Training Programs train residents, gardeners, landscape maintenance crews to become responsible “green” gardeners by implementing water conservation practices in outdoor landscapes, professional and municipal crews increase their productivity and business skills. The existing Eco Gardener series is geared towards educating residents on sustainable landscape design, sprinkler and drip system basics, edible gardening, drought-tolerant plants, and water efficient gardening.

Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Collection Events

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. Click on date(s) below for more information about the next event taking place in the South Bay:

Lomita - 12/15/18

The Clearwater Project was approved after a multi-year evaluation of the main sewer system serving nearly half of Los Angeles County. A new 7-mile tunnel, a key component of the project, will be constructed to protect local waterways by addressing aging infrastructure. Click image below to learn more.

TSA Joins L.A. Metro to Test High-Tech Passenger Screening System Designed to Detect Explosives and Other Weapons

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in partnership with the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) recently tested a new passenger screening technology that is designed to detect suicide vests and other metallic and non-metallic weapons concealed in a person’s clothing in a busy transportation environment.

Also, learn about other Metro programs such as Vanpool and ExpressLanes .

Sanitation Districts Recognize Companies for Being “Good Corporate Citizens”

The Sanitation Districts recognize companies that discharge industrial wastewater that met and often exceeded strict requirements for protection of public health and the environment.

Click Here for October 2018 Calendar

of Events & Workshops

South Bay in the News

Metro Narrows Down Options for South Bay Train Service

Metro’s Green Line train has been carrying riders to and from Redondo Beach since 1995, but soon it could travel four miles deeper into the South Bay, ending in the city of Torrance.

Last month, Metro’s Board of Directors moved forward with two possible routes for the train. Both would extend the line from the existing Redondo Beach station to the under-construction Torrance Transit Center, passing through the city of Lawndale along the way.