SoCalREN administers a variety of clean energy programs and initiatives to help communities and their members save energy, money, and become more sustainable. Each quarter, we put together an e-newsletter to keep you apprised of the latest sector updates, news, offerings, and information. Please let us know if you have any feedback on this issue or suggestions for future issues. If you have colleagues or friends who would be interested in learning more about SoCalREN, please share our newsletter. Thank you for your interest in SoCalREN!  

The Architecture, Construction and Engineering Students (ACES) Pathway Program, encourages high

school students to explore careers, and provides students access to internships in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The ACES Pathway Program offers hands-on experiences to increase student career skills and marketability — all before high school graduation. 

30 students participated this summer, completing internships with the following employer partners: LAUSD Departments, LA County Public Works, and ICF.

Featured intern Daniel Ramirez (highlighted in photo on the right), assisted the LAUSD Facilities Technology Services Division. 

Students also had the ability to participate in a virtual SOLIDWORKS training to earn related certifications. SOLIDWORKS is a solid modeling computer-aided design and engineering software program that is utilized in a wide range of industries, including mechanical engineering, transportation infrastructure design, construction, automobile design, manufacturing, biotechnology – even shoe design. It is the industry standard, and having a SOLIDWORKS Professional certification offers participating ACES students an important competitive differentiator in the marketplace. 

Additionally, and in partnership with the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, the

ACES Pathway Program leveraged the Youth@Work funding available. Students received

160 hours of Paid Work Experience (PWEX), earning $16.04 an hour. Supportive services

were also provided, such as: transportation assistance (i.e., gas reimbursements and bus

TAP cards), clothing stipend reimbursements, and SoCalREN sponsored construction PPE

for students conducting site visits. 

Public Agency Programs: Project Spotlight

LA County’s South Central District Office Energy Upgrade!

Los Angeles County’s Facilities Reinvestment Program (FRP) is an initiative to identify energy efficiency opportunities across the agency’s facilities. With the support of SoCalREN’s services, LA County’s FRP completed a meaningful energy efficiency upgrade replacing an aging condensing boiler in their South Central District Office!

This two-story building in South Los Angeles, is a necessary community facility, offering programs such as CalWORKs, CalFresh, General Relief, Medi-Cal, and GROW services to local residents. Replacing the South Central District Offices’ existing boiler with a newer and more efficient condensing boiler not only helps improve personal comfort in the building, but will also reduce energy consumption by 10% and provide $10,000 of lifetime savings! This project was also eligible to receive an incentive rebate of $6,000 and an additional kicker for public agencies of $3,000 for a total of $9,000 through SoCalGas’ Energy Efficiency Rebates for Business (EERB) Program. 

Since initially identifying the project in 2019, SoCalREN has offered ongoing project management expertise to support this effort.

SoCalREN expertise:

• Identified a list of energy efficiency opportunities in the South Central District Office
• Navigated through energy programs to provide energy usage, cost reduction, and cash incentives analysis
• Prepared and submitted the agency's energy efficiency rebate application to SoCalGas
• Provided engineering and technical expertise to help the agency identify and procure an energy efficient unit

We’re proud to support LA County’s sustainability goals and deliver energy savings in facilities such as the South Central District Office!

Are you interested to learn how your public agency can achieve more significant energy savings? Contact us at info@socalren.org or read through our case studies at socalren.org/casestudies.

Exciting Announcement: SoCalREN Kits for Kids Program

Fall enrollment is now open for schools to reserve a spot in the SoCalREN Kits for Kids Program! The SoCalREN Kits for Kids Program introduces third and fourth-grade students from participating schools to energy efficiency. Students perform an interactive scavenger hunt and play games to learn how they, and their families, can save money and improve their comfort and safety at home.

Students will receive a kit, including two LED bulbs, one efficient-flow showerhead, and two faucet aerators. Each enrolled classroom is eligible to receive a $1,000 incentive if 65% of students install the energy-efficient items and provide proof of installation. 

This program provides great benefits to students, teachers, and families by informing them about the importance of energy efficiency. Learn more at socalren.org/kitsforkids or email us at kitsforkids@socalren.org.

No Cost Resource Available to Contractors: SoCalREN Energy Efficiency Learning Center

Participating Contractors can benefit from the SoCalREN Energy Efficiency Learning Center (EELC). The EELC is available for Participating Contractors at no cost, allowing them

to participate in e-learning courses at their own pace from the comfort and safety of their

home or office. It currently offers more than 80 active courses as part of expanding catalog including HVAC, Sales and Marketing, Commercial Energy Efficiency, Continuing

Education Units, as well as accredited courses from the Building Performance Institute (BPI), Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), and North American Technician Excellence (NATE). 

For more information on Multifamily Programs and resources, visit socalren.org/residential