Lights Out America

Special Event on Saturday, March 29
Join Manhattan Beach and other South Bay Cities in turning off all non-essential lights in your home and/or business from 8pm to 9pm on Saturday March 29 as part of a special event called "Lights Out America." Government agencies, businesses and individuals across the Country are participating in this event to raise awareness about energy conservation.

Sydney Australia provided the inspiration for this event where 2.2 million people participated for a one-hour lights out campaign and saved 25.86 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

To learn more about "Lights Out America" visit www.lightsouta merica.org. Help spread the word to conserve energy on March 29 in the South Bay!

For Residents

Change a Light, Change the World
"Change a Light Campaign" encourages Americans nationwide to change at least one light at home to an ENERGY STAR® Compact Fluorescent Light bulb. Take the pledge!

The History of Earth Day
Earth Day -- April 22 -- each year marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest "to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda. " "It was a gamble," he recalls, "but it worked."
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Tips For Seniors and Others on Fixed Income
Here are some money saving tips that are easy and fun. Track the results on your utility bills every month to see the amount go down!more

Holiday Light Exchange Still Ongoing
SBESC still has inventory of LED holiday lights for exchange. Residents in SCE territory can bring up to two strands of old incandescent holiday lights to the center and exchange them for two FREE strands of LED holiday lights. Get a jumpstart on the 2009 holiday season.

How Big Is Your Carbon Footprint
Whether your footprint is from a hiking boot or a high heel, virtually everything we do results in the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, mostly in the form of carbon dioxide. Click the link to go to a very cool website that will walk you through calculating your own personal carbon footprint.
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EPA Announces the Greening of Copy Machines
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched the first steps toward new green standards for copiers and other imaging devices. This effort builds on the success of EPEAT - an on-line tool to help institutional buyers identify and buy greener electronic equipment.
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Local Companies Going All Out for Earth Day
These South Bay companies will be celebrating Earth Day with their employees and others. What do you have planned?

• April 17 - Boeing
• April 18 - American Honda
• April 22 - Northrop
• April 24 - Los Angeles Air Force Base

Waterbrooms Prove Superior in Conserving Water (and manpower)
May 30, 2008 is the deadline to get your order in for a FREE Water Miser waterbroom. This new water saving technology uses a combination of air and water pressure to clean and remove dust, dirt, food spills, leaves, litter, sawdust and bird droppings from concrete asphalt or any other hard surface.

Made in the USA, it provides exceptional water savings faster than cleaning with a garden hose and dries in minutes, reducing the possibility of slipping and falling. Funding is first come, first served.
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California Solar Initiative Moves Forward with Streamlined Handbook
Through the California Solar Initiative (CSI), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will provide over $2.1 billion in solar incentives over the next decade to existing residential plus existing and new commercial, industrial and agricultural solar projects. The handbook has been reissued to reflect important changes.
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Alternate Financing Workshop for Public Agency Energy Efficiency Projects
Where do you go for funding after the audit?
Save the Date:

• Thursday, April 10, 2008
• George Nakano Theater in Torrance
• 8:30 - 9:00 am - Registration and Breakfast
• 9:00 - 11:30 am - Workshop
• Reservations Required
• On-Bill Financing and CEC funding will be discussed

South High School Has Been Busy
The South Bay Energy Savings Center commends the South High School Lexus Challenge Team for its efforts to promote clean air, energy conservation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Turn your volume up then click the link to view a video clip.
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The Gas Company
The Gas Company has many programs to help residents. The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program gives a 20% discount to qualified customers. The Direct Assistance Program provides energy saving home improvements at no cost. The Gas Assistance fund (GAF) allows for one time bill assistance.

Also available are the Medical Baseline Allowance, State Assistance Programs and information about making payment arrangements. more

Southern California Edison
SCE has begun construction on the largest wind transmission project in the United States right here in California.
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City of Torrance
Torrance has a successful recycling program. Follow the link for a complete list of items the Curbside Recycling Program will accept.
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Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste can be droppped off between 9am and 3pm on the following dates and locations:

• Saturday, April 5 - Hawthorne - the corner of El Segundo and Doty
• May 10 - Palos Verdes Peninsula - at RPV City Hall, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
• June 7 - Torrance - American Honda, 1919 Torrance Blvd.

South Bay Energy Savings Center is funded by California utility customers and administered by Southern California Gas Company and Southern California Edison, in collaboration with South Bay Cities Council of Governments, under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission through a contract awarded to SBESC. California customers who choose to participate in this program are not obligated to purchase any additional services offeredby the contractor. The trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. Additional funding is provided by West Basin Municipal Water District, the City of Torrance and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County.