Cities Honored at Third-Annual Culmination Event for South Bay Energy and Climate Recognition Program  

LAWNDALE, CALIF., December 11, 2025 – The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) in partnership with the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), recognized South Bay cities for their efforts in pursuing energy-efficiency initiatives and sustainability-related tasks over the past year as part of the third annual “South Bay Energy and Climate Recognition Program.” While all cities received recognition for their efforts, four cities took home an award in the newly-created platinum level this year: Carson, Gardena, Manhattan Beach and Torrance. 

Highlights of steps taken by platinum-level cities to earn this distinction include  

  • Carson – Implemented an EV Charging Wallet Program which through the Clean Power Alliance offers residents reimbursements for use of electric vehicle charging stations. Carson also participated in the Southern California EVen Access Public Power-Up Program, increased EV charging capacity throughout the city, presented at the California Climate and Energy Collaborative Conference, and hosted open Environmental Commission meetings.  
  • Gardena – Implemented a waste diversion education program, maintained a community garden, participated in the Southern California Regional Energy Network’s Commercial Direct Install Program in partnership with the SBCCOG, and replaced fluorescent lighting with LEDs at city facilities to improve energy efficiency.  
  • Manhattan Beach – Created an energy resilience action plan, adopted a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, became a designated Clean California Community, hosted an Ocean Protection Bike Tour, and informed residents and businesses on best sustainability and energy practices. 
  • Torrance – Implemented an employee rideshare program, hosted Coastal Clean Up events, implemented a solar education program, maintained a native landscaping Beautification Awards Program, and became a designated Tree City. 

In addition, three cities earned gold-level achievement, four cities earned silver-level achievement, and four cities earned bronze-level achievement. 

  • Gold: El Segundo, Hawthorne, Rolling Hills Estates 
  • Silver: Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lomita, Rancho Palos Verdes 
  • Bronze: Lawndale, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills 

Participating cities were honored at a luncheon at the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center in Lawndale. Rita Kampalath, chief sustainability officer for Los Angeles County, was the keynote speaker.  

“It’s very inspiring for us to all come together at the culmination event and learn about the hard work our cities are doing to advance sustainability,” said Bill Uphoff, SBCCOG 1st vice chair and Lomita Council member. “Our cities really take this challenge seriously. We lifted the bar with the new category of platinum, and they rose to the challenge”   

To participate, cities were required to be enrolled in the SoCalREN—a program administered by Los Angeles County to provide energy-saving services to residents, businesses and public agencies served by Southern California Edison (SCE) and/or Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). Cities’ progress was tracked through a point system. To earn points, cities had to complete at least one activity within the categories of climate action and adaptation, education and engagement, and technical assistance and implementation. Bronze level cities earned up to 11 points, silver level cities earned up to 20 points, gold level cities received up to 29 points, and platinum cities received more than 30 points.  

Point-earning activities included the following: 

  • Participating in a SoCalREN energy program 
  • Purchasing clean power  
  • Updating the city’s GHG inventories 
  • Implementing on-site, renewable energy (solar power, hydropower, etc.)  
  • Installing energy-efficient lighting and HVAC replacement in municipal facilities 
  • Complying with Assembly Bill 802, which requires energy benchmarking and publicly disclosing building energy use  
  • Showing quantified energy savings in municipal facilities 
  • Replacing turf (grass) at municipal facilities with more drought-tolerant, native plants 
  • Hosting beach clean-ups, Earth Day events, gardening events and more 
  • Promoting sustainable practices online 

In 2022, the California Air Resources Board released its updated proposal to implement the most ambitious climate action of any jurisdiction in the world, taking unprecedented steps to drastically slash pollution and accelerate the transition to clean energy. The state has set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. The awards program is designed to help cities do their part to meet this goal, one sustainable step at a time.  

To learn more about the program, visit southbaycities.org/energy-efficiency  

ABOUT SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERMENTS 

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 fostering cooperation, collaboration and innovation. For more information about the SBCCOG visit southbaycities.org.  

 ABOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL NETWORK 

The County of Los Angeles administers the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) to bring together a wide variety of services with one common goal: achieving unprecedented levels of energy savings throughout Southern California. 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 SoCalGas®. For more information about the SoCalREN, visit socalren.org. 

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