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El Segundo is not only the most business friendly city in Los Angeles County, but also arguably the most environmentally conscious. According to the most recent figures released in 2008, El Segundo is number one in the entire state in diverting solid waste to recycled products or other uses!
Additionally, we're proud to note that more than half and perhaps as much as two-thirds of the water used in El Segundo is reclaimed--cleaned and recycled for use, especially in industrial applications. As far as we know, El Segundo is the only city in California that can make this claim!
In a time when worldwide concern about the state of the Earth's environment is at an all-time high, these are extraordinary accomplishments.
Green Programs and Outreach
El Segundo's commitment to reducing carbon footprint and fostering environmental sustainability has spurred a number of innovative programs, outreach efforts and policies. Here are just some of our green achievements:
• Formed an Environmental Committee to address green goals and objectives in order to carry out El Segundo's Environmental Action Plan
• Adopted water conservation ordinances for both residential and commercial customers
• Received a Flex Your Power award from Southern California Edison for recycling 50 percent of our water.
• Received a commendation from the Water Replenishment District for installing artificial turf (saving two million gallons of water per year) at the Campus El Segundo Athletic Fields.
• Retrofitted City facilities with energy-efficient fixture and systems
• Purchased five hybrid vehicles, two electric vehicles, one natural gas vehicle and five propane vehicles for City use
• Installed LED lights on traffic signals
• Launched a banner campaign along Sepulveda Boulevard as part of West Basin Municipal Water District's It's Time to Get Serious campaign.
• Established the online ReUseIt Network to connect community members and keep unwanted items out of landfills
• Hosted the second annual South Bay Environmental Excellence Development (SEED) awards event in September 2009
• Held green building workshops in coordination with the South Bay Environmental Services Center
• Host annual Environmental Expo
• Host Community Shred Days
• Partnered with Northrop Grumman and Whole Foods to conduct an electronic waste collection event.
• Established an online carbon footprint calculator program
Local Firms Help Up Eco Ante
El Segundo has also begun to attract businesses with an environmental bent. Nano H20, a firm that incorporates nanotechnology as an innovative, energy- and cost-efficient approach to desalination and water reuse, moved to 750 Lairport Street in 2009.
Meanwhile, BT completed installation in 2009 of a 2,682-module, 601kW-DC solar photovoltaic system--the largest solar paneling project of its kind in the Southland--at the company's North American headquarters in El Segundo. The system will reduce carbon emissions by 700,000 pounds annually.
And over on Main Street, you can find the only electric bike shop in the South Bay.
Follow the LEEDer
Completed in December 2009, El Segundo's brand new state-of-the-art Fire Station 2 became the first public building in the South Bay to achieve LEED certification--the internationally recognized benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
Through this and other projects, El Segundo has positioned itself as a leader in the quest for environmental responsibility and sustainability in commercial construction.
Here is a list of some of El Segundo's LEED buildings.
Project/LEED Rating
• Fire Station 2: Gold
• KARL STORZ Endoskope: Silver
• Whole Foods Market: Certified
Pending/Upcoming Projects
• Military Entrance and Processing Station (MEPS): Silver or gold
• Boeing: Silver
• Segundo Business Park
• Equinix Data Center
• Cambria Suites Hotel
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