FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact: Colleen Farrell | SBCCOG | 424-271-4681 | [email protected]
SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS CONGRATULATES EL SEGUNDO AS 200th AGENCY TO JOIN PARTNER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL ENERGY NETWORK
TORRANCE, CALIF., November 15, 2021 – The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), which through its South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) serves the sub-region’s constituents as a central hub for energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction, congratulates the City of El Segundo as the 200th agency to enroll in the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN).
Authorized in 2012 by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the SoCalREN provides services to residents, businesses and public agencies throughout the areas served by Southern California Edison (SCE) and/or Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). SoCalREN programs help communities throughout California to implement energy projects as proactive stewards in managing their energy consumption. The County of Los Angeles administers the SoCalREN to bring together a wide variety of services with one common goal: achieving unprecedented levels of energy savings throughout Southern California.
“It’s critical that we do everything we can to be as energy efficient as possible. That’s why we are excited to work with the SBCCOG to take advantage of the SoCalREN Public Agency Programs,” Drew Boyles, El Segundo mayor and chair of the SBCCOG board of directors, said. “As the 200th public agency to join the SoCalREN, we will be able to learn the most effective strategies to benefit all residents and businesses in El Segundo.”
Through programs that impact homes, businesses and public facilities, the SoCalREN has helped reduce energy use throughout the region. Services include helping multifamily property owners make improvements to tenant units and guiding cities through the process of upgrading street lighting to increase energy efficiency and safety. In addition, the SoCalREN leads initiatives that help cities track energy use and help minority and disadvantaged business enterprises obtain employment training.
The SBCCOG has worked closely with the SoCalREN to enroll 14 South Bay agencies to date, leading to energy use analysis at 336 facilities and energy audits at eight facilities. Enrolled public agencies include Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills Estates, Torrance, Lawndale, Redondo Beach Unified School District and El Segundo Unified School District.
The programs and services offered by the SoCalREN have led to substantial energy and money saving milestones:
- Energy efficiency upgrades at schools, libraries and other public buildings for a savings of 92.4 million kWh and 168 thousand therms (equivalent to 19,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided)
- Energy cost savings of nearly $14 million for public agencies in Southern California
- More than $4 million in rebates paid to homeowners who made energy efficiency upgrades
- Energy efficiency upgrades installed in 7,330 multifamily units throughout Southern California
- More than 12.5 million kWh in energy savings in single-family homes and multifamily buildings since the launch of the SoCalREN
To learn more about SoCalREN, visit SoCalREN.com. To learn how the SBCCOG is assisting South Bay public agencies and multifamily owners with energy efficiency strategies, visit southbaycities.org/energy-efficiency.
ABOUT SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS:
The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) is a joint powers government agency of 16 cities and the County of Los Angeles which share the goal of maximizing the quality of life and productivity of the subregion. Within this structure, cities and Los Angeles County maintain the qualities and characteristics that make them unique and independent, while also coming together collectively to address issues of common interest for a greater good of the communities through partnership, persuasion, performance and advocacy. For more information about the SBCCOG visit http://southbaycities.org.
ABOUT SOUTH BAY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CENTER:
The South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) is a program of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. The SBESC has a mission to serve the sub-region’s constituents as the central hub for energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction, by providing information, solutions and resources to businesses, residents and governments.
The SBESC team assists agencies including cities, schools and special districts, as well as businesses and residents of the South Bay to best utilize the many resources available to them through a variety of statewide and local energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction programs. For more information about the SBESC, visit southbaycities.org/environmental-services-center.
ABOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL ENERGY NETWORK
The Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) brings together a wide variety of services with one common goal: achieving unprecedented levels of energy savings throughout Southern California. SoCalREN offers a suite of customizable, no-cost services to remove barriers to achieving energy savings. It also offers programs for residents and businesses that public agencies can leverage for the benefit of their communities. SoCalREN is here to help public agencies save energy, save money, and lead their communities on the pathway to zero net energy and overall greater sustainability. Learn more at SoCalREN.org.