The California Energy Commission awarded LA County a planning grant for developing an Advanced Energy Community in Avocado Heights and Bassett. Residents, businesses, and local schools and governments all important contributors to making this vision a success in our community.
IMPORTANCE
By 2050, the San Gabriel Valley is expected to experience a rise in the number of extreme heat days from 32 a year to 74 a year if nothing is done to stop climate change. Extreme heat days are when temperatures reach 95°F or more. To prevent further damage from climate change, protect our air quality, and reduce our electricity bills, we need to change how much electricity we consume and where it comes from.
Figure 1 Map of forecasted increases in extreme heat days by 2050 if nothing is done to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
See: http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-extreme-heat-20150514-htmlstory.html |
COMMUNITY
The AEC project pilot site is located in the Los Angeles County unincorporated neighborhoods of Avocado Heights and Bassett, an area of about 4.7 sq-mi with a population of ~28,000.
Exposure to high particulate matter / diesel concentrations and high traffic density is prevalent throughout the area, which is bordered by three major freeways, is adjacent to the La Puente landfill, and has experienced ongoing concerns over lead and arsenic emissions from the nearby Quemetco Battery Recycling Center. These neighborhoods are predicted to experience over 40 additional extreme heat days per year by 2050.
Exposure to high particulate matter / diesel concentrations and high traffic density is prevalent throughout the area, which is bordered by three major freeways, is adjacent to the La Puente landfill, and has experienced ongoing concerns over lead and arsenic emissions from the nearby Quemetco Battery Recycling Center. These neighborhoods are predicted to experience over 40 additional extreme heat days per year by 2050.
Avocado HeightsAvocado Heights is an unincorporated census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It lies in the San Gabriel Valley, near Puente Hills. On the northern border lies the unincorporated community of West Puente Valley; on the eastern border the City of Industry. A thin strip of the City of Industry runs to the south, and the Pomona Freeway and the Puente Hills are farther south. To the west is the San Gabriel River and the San Gabriel River Freeway, as well as the California Country Club. Avocado Heights is approximately 15 miles (24 km) from the downtown Los Angeles Civic Center.
|
BassettBassett is an unincorporated community in the San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California, United States, located within the Census-designated place boundaries of Avocado Heights.Located in the San Gabriel Valley, the ZIP Code is 91746 and the community is inside area code 626.
|
PARTICIPATION
Residents of Avocado Heights and Bassett will be able to join a unique electricity and natural gas billing program that sources renewable energy and funds energy efficiency in homes through the new Los Angeles Community Choice Energy Association.
Businesses can also participate in the utility billing program and sign on as a sponsor of the AEC development and implementation project.
Local Schools are contributing by leveraging their existing plans to improve energy efficiency in buildings, which has been proven to have benefits for air quality, learning, and health for children."
Businesses can also participate in the utility billing program and sign on as a sponsor of the AEC development and implementation project.
Local Schools are contributing by leveraging their existing plans to improve energy efficiency in buildings, which has been proven to have benefits for air quality, learning, and health for children."