July 2020
Save Water, Energy, Money, & the Environment
West Basin Summer Splash 2020

West Basin is hosting a series of interactive virtual education programs throughout the summer. A full listing of programs and schedules is provided below. All webinars will be live-hosted by West Basin staff or in partnership with other subject matter experts. Participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions during and after each presentation.

NOTE: Space is limited and waitlists are currently unavailable, so please sign up as soon as possible.
Click on the graphic below to learn about West Basin's "Change & Save" program!
South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) is Proud to Partner with SoCalREN!

SBCCOG is proud to partner with SoCalREN to bring their suite of no-cost services to the South Bay! The Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) Public Agency Programs offer customized support and resources to help public agencies save energy and money and lead their communities on the path to zero net energy and greater sustainability. SBCCOG is leveraging local knowledge and strong relationships with public agencies in the South Bay to bring SoCalREN’s no-cost support on energy, demand, and water-saving projects to the sub-region. Together, SBCCOG will ensure SoCalREN’s highly valued services are accessible for public agencies, especially those supporting underserved and hard-to-reach communities, in the South Bay. SBCCOG is excited to grow this new partnership over time to better serve its sub-region. Learn more about the
benefits SoCalREN and SBCCOG are offering together at socalren.org !
Understanding Renewable Natural Gas
Renewable energy is an increasingly important part of California’s clean energy future. You’ve probably heard of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, but you may not have heard of renewable natural gas (RNG). Learn more about this renewable fuel and how it can help reduce greenhouse gases and address climate change. A new study shows that replacing less than 20 percent of the traditional gas supply with RNG captured from sources like dairies, wastewater treatment plants and landfills can achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions equivalent to converting 100 percent of buildings to electric only energy by 20301. And using a mix of in and out of state RNG is 3 times more cost-effective in reducing GHGs than an electrification pathway.
PFAS Resources
The Water Replenishment District (WRD) is committed to managing and protecting local groundwater resources for over four million residents living in the 43 cities of Southern Los Angeles County. WRD has been actively working with our pumping community to address Perflourooctanic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in groundwater and to ensure that all potable water meets state and federal drinking water standards and is safe to drink. Additionally, WRD has been monitoring groundwater quality for the past couple decades using a groundwater monitoring network of 335 monitoring wells, which monitor over 120 contaminants throughout the basin, including PFOA and PFOS. PFOA and PFOS are man-made compounds that have been used for several decades all over the world in industrial manufacturing, firefighting foams (aqueous film forming foam [AFFF]), and several consumer products including fast food wrappers, pizza boxes, non-stick cookware (Teflon™), clothing (Gore-Tex ®), fabric protectant (Scotchgard™), and stain resistant carpets. However, PFOA and PFOS have been phased out of products made in the United States since the 2000’s.
Coronavirus Resources: Madrona Marsh Preserve Has Re-Opened

The Madrona Marsh Preserve has reopened (by appointment only). Hours of operation are Thursday through Saturday at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To make an appointment, please call (310) 782-3989 on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week of visitation. No appointments will be made beyond the current week. The following times are available 9 a.m, 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. All appointments are for a one hour and 45 minute duration based on demand. Walk-ups will be permitted after appointments and if space is available. Group appointments is limited to same household or living unit only. Proof will be required at entrance.
What is PACE Financing?

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is affordable financing that allows property owners to pay for upgrades that increase energy efficiency, harness renewable energy, conserve water, and protect against storms.
Sanitation Districts to Host Virtual Public Tours on Saturday, August 1st (JWPCP & Bixby Marshland)

Sanitation Districts will begin broadcasting Bixby nature talk on the 1st Saturday of every month. Additionally, they will be hosting public virtual tours of their JWPCP on these 1st Saturdays of each month. Below are the following upcoming dates & times:
  • August 1st (9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.) - JWPCP
  • August 1st (10:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.) - Bixby Marshland.

For more information, contact: michellevieville@lacsd.org
I-5 Electric Truck Charging Sites Mapped Out by Electric Utilities
Electric utilities in three West Coast states, including Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), have announced the results of a study that could lead to significant reductions of pollution from freight transportation up and down the Pacific Coast and create jobs in an economy hit hard by the novel coronavirus.
Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Collection Events Resume on July 18th

Sanitation Districts' HHW events will resume on Saturday, July 18 , with new COVID-19 safety precautions. They ask that all attendees wear a face covering and remain in their vehicles with windows closed, if possible. Please stay home if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, have been asked to quarantine, or have recently traveled internationally. Event staff will only remove household hazardous and electronic waste from your trunk/pick-up bed. To dispose of sharps, you will be required to exit your vehicle and dispose of them in the designated area.

Upcoming events in the South Bay:
Mobility at an Intersection
In March, Los Angeles traffic as we know it vanished overnight after safer-at-home orders were issued. With the coronavirus beginning to claim lives, many of us would have welcomed the traffic back, and other signs of normalcy, in a heartbeat. Then, beginning in late May, city and county officials imposed curfew orders limiting nighttime travel as thousands took to the streets to demonstrate against racism and police brutality following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis.

Also, learn about other Metro programs such as Vanpool and ExpressLanes .
On the Go
News for Southern California Commuters: July / August 2020
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 & San Bernardino Counties, and Ventura County.
SBCCOG General Assembly Sponsors
SBCCOG is Hiring
SBCCOG is currently hiring for the following two positions:

  • Project Manager I (Energy Efficiency Programs)
  • Senior Project Manager (Communications)

To learn more and apply, please follow this link
Learn more about South Bay sub-region & its member cities/areas here
Interested in becoming a volunteer at SBESC? Fill out an application here
 Links to Partner Resources En Español :