The Beacon Award program is part of the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC), a new alliance to help cities and counties reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy. SEEC is a collaboration between three statewide non-profit organizations, including the Institute for Local Government, and California’s four Investor Owned Utilities.

SEEC provides education and tools for climate action planning, venues for peer-to-peer networking, technical assistance and recognition for local agencies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.

SEEC Partners Include:

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

San Diego Gas and Electric Company

Southern California Edison Company

Southern California Gas Company

Local Government Commission
LGC will provide webinars on energy efficiency strategies for local governments; hold an annual statewide conference on greenhouse gas reduction and energy efficiency best practices; provide local government partners a chance to network with each other and provide peer support; and develop a report on energy efficiency programs, including strategic plan activities and tracking, to inform the development of a Local Government Energy Efficiency Website.

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI will conduct a series of workshops and trainings for local governments on taking key steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including: conducting a local government operations inventory; conducting a community-scale inventory; developing an emissions reduction target; and developing and implementing a climate action plan. ICLEI will also develop and deliver a suite of resources to aid local governments implement energy efficiency measures and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The suite will be developed around ICLEI’s Five Milestones for Climate Mitigation, which provides a systematic framework for analyzing GHG emissions, developing a reduction target, developing and implementing a climate action plan, and monitoring implementation.

Institute for Local Government
ILG’s Climate Change program provides resources, networking and recognition for cities and counties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy. The Climate Change program sponsors the Beacon Award: Local Leadership towards Solving Climate Change which recognizes and celebrates cities and counties that:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use;
• Adopt policies and programs to address climate change; and
• Promote sustainability.

Participating in the Beacon Award lets local agencies receive positive recognition for saving energy, conserving resources, promoting sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It lets cities and counties shine a bright light on their accomplishments for their residents, colleagues and others.

This program is funded by California utility ratepayers and administered by Southern California Gas Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Pacific Gas & Electric Company and Southern California Edison, under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.