installed energy and water conservation resources, including new lighting, refrigeration and heating, low-flush toilets and kitchen resources, in more than 90 businesses. The goal of the initiative was to demonstrate how small businesses can easily achieve about 15 to 20 percent in energy savings with retrofits and taking advantage of available resources. In addition to the business retrofits, a series of education forums coordinated took place to ensure that everyone in Lennox – from students to residents to seniors – learned how they can become more energy efficient. The Lennox Park also received upgrades to ensure that the entire facility meets the highest standard of energy efficiency. “Our energy makeover demonstrates that small communities can improve their carbon footprint and benefit their bottom line through minor improvements in their homes and businesses,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said during the kickoff event at a shopping center in Lennox, “This is an effort to drive good, green and local jobs – jobs you can’t outsource.”

The motion, co-authored by Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, also directs the County’s Chief Executive Officer to actively advocate for provisions in the final legislation that empower local governments to achieve significant energy savings and emissions reductions.

Such provisions include direct support for local climate action by allocating carbon trading allowances to local governments, funding for local public transportation projects, offset credits for local government’s efforts that reduce carbon emission and support for local government adaption planning.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, the California Democrat who chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee, recently announced that her committee will introduce comprehensive energy reform legislation by the end of September.

According to the Board’s motion, with the absence of an effective federal response, local governments such as Los Angeles County have taken the lead in combating climate change by investing increasingly scarce resource in a wide range of actions, including providing low-cost financing for energy efficiency and setting stringent building efficiency standards.

“While partnerships with states and private sectors are essential to successful local action, without direct federal support and resources to local government, the potential for effective clean energy and climate protection strategies will certainly fall short,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said in his motion.

The motion calls for the County to send a letter to Senator Boxer and Sen. James Inhofe, her committee’s ranking member, acknowledging the County’s support and collaboration in showcasing the efficacy of local government’s efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change.