South Bay Watch

The 23rd General Assembly

U.S. Assistant Secretary for Electricity to Address Energy Reliability, Resilience and Climate Change as General Assembly’s Keynote

The General Assembly is an opportunity for thought leaders to gather, share ideas and discuss important issues that impact the South Bay subregion of Los Angeles County. The theme for this year’s event is “The South Bay: Leading the Way in Resilience and Adaptability.” The program will explore how the South Bay is adapting to conflicting growth goals and the potential impacts of increasing climate events to create a more resilient future. This year’s keynote speaker will be Gene Rodrigues, who was recently appointed as assistant secretary for electricity within the United States Department of Energy by President Joe Biden. Rodrigues began his career as a teacher, but his passion to “do justice” led him to return to school and study law. One of his first cases as a lead attorney was to represent a California utility in its efforts to revitalize the

state’s lagging energy efficiency programs. Over two decades, he rose from practicing regulatory law to overseeing one of the nation's largest portfolios of demand-side management (DSM) programs. DSM programs plan, implement and monitor activities of electric utilities to encourage consumers to modify their electricity use.

Prior to his new post he served eight years as vice president in the Energy, Environment and Infrastructure practice of ICF, a global advisory and digital services provider.

As a warmup for the event, South Bay Watch invited Rodrigues to answer a few questions on topics to be discussed.

Q. First, congratulations are your recent appointment as assistant secretary for electricity. What are your top goals in your new role?

Thank you. It’s a pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with the elected officials who serve those of us who are blessed to live here in the South Bay. My goals as assistant secretary for electricity are multifaceted, but it all comes down to this: America needs a 21st century grid to meet the challenges facing us today and to maintain our nation’s energy, economic and environmental leadership on the world stage. My team in the Office of Electricity is working closely with industry and other stakeholders to drive technological, analytical, economic, structural and operational advancements that will increase the reliability, resilience, security, flexibility, adaptability and affordability of our nation’s energy grid.

Q. The state’s goal is to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 85% below 1990 levels by 2045 to address climate change. This goal presents conflicts we’d like to explore. The big issue is the question of adequacy and reliability of the electric grid to handle increased use of electric vehicles, as well

as electric appliances, such as air conditioning. Related are consumer complaints centered around blackouts due to environmental factors (high winds blowing trees into power lines, extreme heat, wildfires, etc.). What are strategies for creating a seamless and sustainable transition to electricity for the consumer?

As a California resident, I’m proud that our state joins the Biden-Harris Administration in recognizing the imperative to address climate change. And I would add that, in addition to addressing climate change, a modernized and expanded American energy network is also foundational for securing our country’s continued economic leadership and national security, while also providing prosperity, safety and quality of life for our citizens. So, how do we manage the transition in front of us? I think we need to keep two principles in mind. First, we need to recognize that, for all the reasons I just mentioned, we must be “all in” on modernizing the grid so that it enables the future we want. Second, our focus must be on how the energy transition affects people as much as it is on policy or technology.

Q. Zooming out a bit, there are some who might say the state and country are moving too quickly away from fossil fuels toward cleaner sources of energy, out of concern that this would result in higher fuel prices and loss of energy-sector jobs. What do you think is the best way to approach this transition?

After President Biden nominated me, I had the honor of being confirmed for my position by unanimous consent of the Senate. During that process, I met with senators from both sides of the aisle and, in every single conversation, regardless of that state’s energy mix and policies, we shared an understanding that a secure and resilient power grid is vital to national security, economic prosperity, and services the American people

Newly appointed Assistant Energy Secretary for Electrity Gene Rodrigues will keynote the 23rd General Assembly.

depend upon in their homes and businesses. With that as common ground, I believe it allows us to envision transition pathways that harness American ingenuity and the productivity of American workers to lead the global transition to a clean energy economy.

Q. California is often an environmental policy leader, but it’s finding conflicts and barriers. For example, installing solar panels and wind turbines will require use of land valuable as wildlife habitat, sacred to indigenous people, or used for food production. How should we balance priorities, and what do you view as the primary future source(s) for sustainable energy?

The issues you have highlighted are exactly the types of considerations taken under review during the regulatory process. As a personal aside, when I practiced regulatory law before the California Public Utilities Commission, I was always impressed by the level of commitment exhibited by all parties in the process to finding an appropriate balance of interests for all stakeholders. As to which energy sources will power our future, I can only tell you what my team at the Office of Electricity and I focus on every day: we want every American to have access to a 21st century grid that can and will enable any energy future our country pursues.

Q. While at ICF you served as a liaison between local governments and utilities. How can our local governments, utilities and communities work better together to respond to (instead of reacting to) potentially escalating climate change events and to advance climate goals more rapidly?

Your question hits the nail on the head. We—citizens, local governments, utilities, and other stakeholders (including U.S. DOE)—must become more adept at communicating and collaborating early and often in the resource and grid planning processes. The challenges facing us are becoming increasingly complex and far too common. If we hope to accelerate beneficial action, our first step together must be a commitment to collective understanding, planning and commitment.

Q. Wrapping up with a fun question, if you could design our conference, what direction should the discussion take to advance the energy dialogue?

I have two thoughts on this. First, every session and every conversation should end with, “So, what are we going to do about it?” Issue identification is interesting, but it’s the creation of solution pathways that will make the conference truly important. Second, here’s a topic that I think the South Bay is wellpositioned to drive thought leadership on: How can the South Bay cities—working with their citizens, their utilities and other stakeholders—harness the full potential of grid edge resources to improve reliability and bolster resilience?

Q. Finally, why should we be optimistic about the future of electricity?

American ingenuity. There is no doubt that all the leading economies of the world are at the starting line of a race to drive the global transition toward a clean energy economy. America is well-positioned to win that race because, with American ingenuity, we can envision the transition here, design it here, manufacture it here, and deploy it everywhere. •

23rd Annual SBCCOG General Assembly

The South Bay: Leading the Way in Resilience and Adaptability

The program will explore how the South Bay is adapting to the potential impacts of climate change and working to create a more resilient future.

Thursday, March 23, 2023

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (includes lunch)

Registration and exhibits open 8:30 a.m. (continental breakfast served)

Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center 801 East Carson Street, Carson CA

Register now for this FREE in-person event at southbaycities.org/event/23rd-annual-generalassembly

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Benefactors $5,000

Daily Breeze | Beach Reporter | Palos

Verdes Peninsula News • Chevron Products Company

• Continental Development

Corporation | Mar Ventures • LA County

Supervisor Holly Mitchell • Port of Los Angeles • South Bay Association of REALTORS® (SBAOR)

Sponsors $2,500

Clean Power Alliance • Kosmont Companies

• LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn • Metropolitan Water District of Southern California • Southern California Association of Governments • Southern California Edison

• SoCalGas • Studio One Eleven • The Energy Coalition • Water Replenishment District of Southern California • Watson Land Company

• West Basin Municipal Water District

Contact Rosemary Lackow at: Rosemary@southbaycities.org to become a sponsor

United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm speaks with Gene Rodrigues as he is sworn in as assistant energy secretary for electricity at a recent ceremony in Washington D.C.

On social media use

#sbccogGeneralAssembly for General Assembly updates.

Conquering the Digital Divide

Sign of the Times

Rolling Turtle Selected to Represent South Bay Local Travel Network

Arolling turtle will be the face of a new network of local streets coming soon to the South Bay.

The turtle will be featured on road signage for the new 243-mile route of streets called The Local Travel Network (LTN) to communicate “slow is the way to go.”

The LTN will support the growing local use of personal “micromobility.” The term is a mode of travel defined by use of zeroemission, slow speed vehicles. Such devices include neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs)—which appear similar to golf carts—ebikes, non-motorized pedal bikes, e-scooters, e-bikes and other “novelty” zero-emission, slow speed mobility devices such as onewheels (electric skateboards). Watch this video to see examples: https://bit.ly/3x9bJSK.

to Examine Broadband Needs in South Bay’s Underserved Communities

SBCCOG

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) is launching the Digital Equity Project to create a “roadmap” for improving broadband access in historically disadvantaged communities of the South Bay.

The SBCCOG recently received a $498,949 Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) grant. Through this funding, it will work with a technical consultant to identify broadband gaps and needs in communities where data has revealed socioeconomic disadvantage, which has led to a lack of broadband investment and infrastructure. Targeted areas include Carson, Gardena, Hawthorne, and the West Athens-Westmont area of unincorporated Los Angeles County. It will also inventory public and private broadband assets and resources throughout the entire South Bay.

The project will expand a phase one effort started in 2020 to improve broadband access to the subregion. The SBCCOG began work on a dedicated fiber-optic network called the South Bay Fiber Network (SBFN). Phase one is a middle-mile fiber optic ring that connects key anchor institutions, including city halls and regional public agencies, to high-speed carrier grade broadband. It runs through a combination of existing leased fiber network capacity, while adding approximately 15% through new fiber construction. The project was completed at 25% the cost and 20% of the time all-new construction would have required. A public-private partnership made creation of the award-winning network possible.

By December of this year, the Digital Equity project will generate a “shovel-ready” phase two plan South Bay agencies can use to expand the SBFN. The envisioned expansion will provide high-speed, lowcost internet connectivity to small businesses and microbusinesses in these communities to help bridge the digital divide. •

This past summer, under the direction of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), the transportation firm Fehr & Peers began technical planning work to develop signage, branding and engineering details to define the LTN. The firm engaged representatives from 16 South Bay cities and agencies in a several-month brainstorming process to create branding and signage to publicly represent the network. The “rolling turtle” emerged as the favorite among two other traditional road signage designs presented. Surveyed stakeholders, including individuals representing Metro, the California Transportation Commission, and members of local groups, such as members of the League of Women Voters, favored the more whimsical turtle option. Their feedback included that it was “different and would stand out,” evoked the “nature of the LTN concept,” and would provide “incredible branding opportunities.”

TheSBCCOG board of directors approved the design as a distinctive icon to be used on wayfinding signs. Its imagery will also educate the public to use the network with safety in mind. •

Residents of the South Bay can look up their own neighborhood to see if the destinations they frequently visit will be included in the network. Visit https://southbaycities.org/ programs/a-local-travel-network-for-the-southbay.

A “People-First” Mission

As U.S. Space Force Celebrates Third Birthday at Los Angeles Airforce Base in El Segundo, its Leadership Credits Community Relationships as Key to Success

By Katelin Robinson, 1st Lt., U.S. Air Force, Officer, Public Affairs, Space Base Delta 3

Los Angeles Air Force Base (LA AFB) has been a staple of military presence in El Segundo, Calif., for more than 60 years, with a rich history in aerospace research, development and acquisition.

In 2021, the U.S. Space Force (USSF) announced that one of its three major field commands would be headquartered at LA AFB. The renamed Space System Command (SSC) would be responsible for identifying, prototyping and fielding innovative, spacebased solutions to support and meet the demands of the National Defense Strategy. It would also supply oversight and support to science and technology activities in the USSF.

The following year, Los Angeles Garrison, the installation host wing, was renamed to Space Base Delta 3 (SBD3), falling in line with the USSF organizational structure. It provides support services for 2,178 military and civilian employees at LA AFB, as well as its geographically separated units and sister services near and far.

“The base’s presence is central to the economy of El Segundo and the entire South

Bay,” said Drew Boyles, El Segundo mayor and the South Bay Cities Council of Government’s (SBCCOG’s) immediate past chair. “Through its presence, the South Bay has long been a draw for those pursuing careers in space and technology. The addition of Space Force positions the region for even further growth in decades to come.”

The base is a nexus of the nation and region’s aerospace industry, surrounded within mere blocks by aerospace industry stalwarts such as Northrop Grumman’s Space Park campus, Raytheon Technologies and Boeing Satellite Systems. SpaceX, a company under contract to launch U.S. military satellites, is just five miles away in Hawthorne. The base is also structurally connected by a bridge to the Aerospace Corporation, a federally funded research and development center focused on space that has long worked with the base.

In late 2020 Vice President Mike Pence announced that personnel in the USSF would be called guardians. On July 14, 2022, Col. Mia Walsh became not only the first

Col. Mia Walsh, commander, Space Base Delta 3, poses with the Airmen, Guardians, civilians and contractors that support Space Base Delta 3 for a group photo atop a scissor lift after her first All Call at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., on Oct. 13, 2022. All Call's are held quarterly by the commander to keep the force informed about the base, the United States Air Force and United States Space Force initiatives.

commander of SBD3, but also the first Space Force guardian to command the support organization. A native of Hilo, Hawaii and 24year military veteran, Walsh previously served in the United States Air Force and transferred to the USSF when it was established in 2019, claiming it was a “no-brainer.”

“I have worked in the space domain my entire career as a space operator. When the Space Force stood up, I was excited to cross over and continue supporting space efforts,” Walsh said. “I have already learned so much from this team through their professionalism and enthusiasm to support the mission."

She continued, “It’s my responsibility to take care of our airmen and guardians who work here by making sure they have the right resources, tools and quality of life to focus on the threats in space, which to me, is a nofail mission.”

During her six-month tenure, she has taken part in community outreach activities that include the Rose Parade, El Segundo Holiday Parade, chamber meetings, South Bay Aerospace Alliance meetings and military appreciation events.

“Space Systems Command is an incredible organization that develops resilient space systems for the joint warfighter. One of my top priorities is strengthening relationships within the community, especially since those relationships declined during COVID. We are lucky to have such strong support from the South Bay cities for our military community,” expressed Walsh.

Recently the base hosted a celebration for the USSF’s third birthday and invited community leaders to attend. “Inviting local leaders to participate in our base events and meet our airmen and guardians is what I hope to continue in this new year,” Walsh said. •

Building Sustainable Cities

Facility Equipment Inventory Program Aims to Help Cities Identify Go-Green Opportunities

South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) team members Shawn Fujioka and Talia Perluss have spent hundreds of hours cataloging the nuances of vending machines, light bulbs and windows, along with more than a dozen other facility features, at municipal locations spanning five South Bay cities.

Their efforts are part of a Facility Equipment Inventory (FEI) Pilot Program to track municipal facilities’ energyusing equipment. The inventory, funded by the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), will help identify energy-saving opportunities. Findings will also inform the SBCCOG to advocate for potential resources to help cities convert to more sustainable equipment now and in the future.

“One of the main objectives is to create a comprehensive list of everything in the building, and then maintain it for years to come,” said Perluss. Perluss is fulfilling a CivicSpark Fellowship at the SBCCOG with this project. CivicSpark annually provides 135 fellows the opportunity to gain direct professional, technical and leadership experience. That includes work on climate initiatives, water management or affordable housing issues.

According to Perluss, among the more surprising revelations of the inventories was a plentitude of fluorescent lights and 90’s-era microwaves.

“We’ve been to buildings that are all fluorescent lights, but each city also has their own thing they are leading the way with—such as a new HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system—even though they might fall short in other areas,” she said.

The program is a joint effort between the SBCCOG and the SoCalREN. SoCalREN is a partner of the SBCCOG’s Environmental Services Center (SBESC) that provides energy efficiency resources and programs for residents, businesses and public agencies.

In the past, cities have been able to replace high-cost equipment items through Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs). Historically, the SoCalREN has worked with cities to execute such plans through efficiency audits that gather data only

Top) Douglas Krauss, Environmental Programs manager, City of Hermosa Beach, observes as Shawn Fujioka, project coordinator, SBCCOG inventories the serial number of a refrigerator at Hermosa Beach City Hall to determine its manufacture date, make and wattage.

Below) Doug Krauss shows Talia Perluss, Civic Spark Fellow at the SBCCOG, an electrical panel at Hermosa Beach City Hall. Perluss captures an image of the panel to better understand the source/control of each room’s power.

on larger return-on-investment items. By contrast, the FEI project casts a wider net to catalog all energy-using equipment. The finished ledger will aid in the development of future replacement timelines and project development.

“This detailed data empowers cities in the South Bay region to better plan for energy-efficient projects and upgrades throughout their facility portfolio, thereby saving them time, energy and money,” said Leah Myhre, project manager, SoCalREN.

HOW FACILITY EQUIPMENT INVENTORIES WORK

The process involves taking photos of and entering information about each item into a workbook. The workbook segments information into 17 sections. Within those sections are items such as windows, doors, lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, water systems, refrigeration, power generation, food preparation, pools, saunas and spas, and electric vehicles chargers to name a few.

“We usually take 300 photos, per person, per site,” said Fujioka, a former SBCCOG CivicSpark Fellow and now full-time employee. “Having so much information and seeing it all in one organized place is mind-blowing.”

To date, Fujioka and Perluss have completed inventories in Carson, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach—all SoCalREN-member cities.

“The SBCCOG staff was very helpful and adapted well to the intricacies of our disparate facilities and equipment,” said Douglass Krauss, Environmental Programs manager, City of Hermosa Beach. We look forward to seeing the result of the Inventory and turning that information into actionable items to help our ongoing sustainability efforts.”

Fujioka and Perluss aim to eventually include 10 to 20 facilities in South Bay Cities, with at least half in disadvantaged communities.

“Seeing al the data in the rows and columns quantifies how much potential there is for improvement. It feels empowering to see how, through a few modifications, cities can play a small part to help protect our planet in the future,” Perluss said. •

For more information about the FEI program contact Shawn Fujioka at 424-271-4685 or shawn@southbaycities.org.

SBCCOG Launches the 2023 South Bay Energy and Climate Recognition Program

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), in partnership with the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), has launched the 2023 South Bay Energy and Climate Recognition Program to celebrate South Bay cities for their efforts in pursuing energy efficiency initiatives and sustainability-related tasks.

South Bay cities that are enrolled in SoCalREN and meet certain thresholds in promoting strategies that demonstrate a commitment to energy efficiency, climate action and adaptation will receive recognition through this program.

How to Participate

Cities must complete one activity per category (below) by the third Monday of November annually to achieve points (one point awarded per activity). Documentation must be provided to receive credit. Activities will be tracked by the SBCCOG. There are three categories of activities:

In addition, bonus points will be awarded for Energy Savings. Cities will be recognized for their achievements at a ceremony in December 2023 hosted by the SBCCOG and the SoCalREN.

“Our cities are working hard to make real strides when it comes to making their facilities more sustainable,” said Shawn Fujioka, project coordinator, SBCCOG. “We think it’s important to call out these achievements as a way to demonstrate to other cities what real action can be taken, and also to recognize the contributions they are making toward a greener South Bay.”

Contact Shawn Fujioka at shawn@southbaycities.org or Sam Meza at sam@southbaycities.org with questions about the program.

Climate action adaptation and sustainability

Education, networking and engagement

Technical assistance

“Seeing all the data in the rows and columns quantifies how much potential there is for improvement. It feels empowering to see how, through just a few modifications, cities can play a small part to help protect our planet in the future."

PERSPECTIVE

The Future of Electric Service Will Be Decentralized and Democratized, with Cities Leading the Way

By Lorenzo Kristov, Ph.D. Kristov is an independent consultant focusing on power system transition to integrate high levels of renewable generation and distributed energy resources (DER). Kristov will be a speaker at the March 23, 2023 General Assembly.

For 100 years electricity has been delivered by a centrally controlled monopoly utility system, over which local governments, communities and customers have had little say. City planners tend not to deal with energy planning, leaving it to the utility and its regulatory body unless a serious concern arises.

Today, new climate-driven energy needs and the emergence of clean, highperforming “distributed energy resources” (DERs) are challenging this paradigm with possibilities for local decision-making and investment in electricity production, supply and use.

COMMUNITY ENERGY SYSTEMS

The emergence of DER technologies— including rooftop solar, battery storage, electric vehicles and charging systems, load-management, and microgrids capable of stand-alone electric service—offers a just-in-time redesign of how we produce, distribute and use electricity to meet today’s urgent imperatives, not of concern when the 20th century system evolved.

As a result of accumulated climate, ecosystem and social impacts of fossilfuel-dominated energy systems, we must address three urgent needs:

— Resilience or adaptation: to ensure all people and communities have continuous electric service for essential functions during disasters and power system outages;

— Decarbonization: transforming our energy practices to eliminate and reverse their damaging impacts;

— Energy equity: to ensure reliable energy for the most vulnerable, remediate energyrelated injustices, and provide equitable access to the benefits of DERs.

Imagine...

• individual customers over-sizing their rooftop solar+battery electricity systems to provide energy to their neighbors.

• locally owned co-ops operating electricity supply businesses and electric vehicle charging stations as integral components of the local economy.

• urban electrification projects, such as municipal vehicle fleets and school buses, powered completely by publicly owned local renewable energy assets.

• every neighborhood with a “resilience hub” that can provide shelter, warmth or cooling, food, social services, basic care and phone/internet services when power fails during emergency events, with near-zero energy costs year-round.

• city planners and developers cooptimizing local energy production with tree canopy, land use, public space and stormwater capture at the neighborhood or subdivision level.

But there are still barriers to DERs to address. This starts with updating the topdown, centralized monopoly framework that has historically characterized electric service. The traditional utility monopoly is a hindrance to mobilizing DERs to meet today’s societal needs.

Customers with the financial resources can install DERs and reduce or eliminate the need for utility service, but this could worsen energy inequities unless new policies ensure all energy users benefit from DER technologies. This includes allowing locally owned DERs to supply electric service to their communities.

State support is needed to help local governments build capacity to integrate DER development into the scope of their planning. Local governments empowered with energy planning capability can lead the way to a resilient and democratized energy future. •

Published March 8, 2023 by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments

A quarterly bulletin to inform local leaders of subregional progress and alert them to emerging issues

Governing Board:

Chair

John Cruikshank, Rancho Palos Verdes

1st Vice Chair

Cedric Hicks, Carson

2nd Vice Chair Rodney Tanaka, Gardena

Immediate Past Chair

Drew Boyles, El Segundo

Members:

Carson, County of LA, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Torrance

SBCCOG Executive Director

Jacki Bacharach

Legal Counsel

Michael Jenkins, Best Best & Krieger LLP

Treasurer

Joseph Lillio Director of Finance, City of El Segundo

To subscribe to SBCCOG newsletters or view past editions, visit southbaycities.org/newsletter.

To view a schedule of SBCCOG meetings, visit southbaycities.org/calendar.

Website: southbaycities.org

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Follow us: @SouthBayCCOG @SBESC

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