The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) in partnership with the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), recognized South Bay cities for their efforts in pursuing energy-efficiency initiatives and sustainability-related tasks over the past year as part of the second annual “South Bay Energy and Climate Recognition Program.” While all cities received recognition for their efforts, seven cities took home gold-level awards this year: Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach, Rolling Hills Estates and Torrance. Highlights of steps taken by the City of El Segundo to earn this distinction included retrofitting and replacing city hall heating, cooling and air conditioning units (HVAC), operated an environmental committee which advises the city council on sustainable actions, and replaced three pool heaters.

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.

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 rewards program is designed to help cities do their part to meet this goal one sustainable step at a time. For more information about the SBCCOG visit southbaycities.org.