The Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative
The Beacon Award program is part of the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC). SEEC provides support to cities and counties to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy. SEEC is an alliance between three statewide non-profit organizations and California’s four Investor-Owned Utilities. It builds upon the unique resources, expertise and local agency relationships of each partner.
What is SEEC?
SEEC provides no cost:
- Education and tools for climate action planning and reducing energy use;
- Opportunities for peer-to-peer networking; and
- Technical assistance and recognition for local agencies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy and adopt policies and programs that promote sustainability.
By leveraging the resources and expertise of the seven partners to help local agencies, SEEC aptly demonstrates the phrase, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts .
SEEC Partners
Partner Resources
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA
ICLEI is a national local government membership association focused on climate protection and sustainability. As part of SEEC, ICLEI provides free in-depth technical workshops and resources to help cities and counties take key steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including conducting greenhouse gas inventories, and preparing and implementing climate action plans. Free online resources available through ICLEI’s SEEC partnership include:
- Quick Start Guides for conducting greenhouse gas emissions inventories, target setting and forecasting, and writing Climate Action Plans;
- Sample Climate Action Plans and Climate Action Plan Template;
- Community Inventory Tool-free online tool to conduct community scale inventory;
- Climate Action Planning Assistant (CAPA)-free online decision support tool and scenario planner for greenhouse gas reduction measures; and
- City Planners’ Energy Action Handbook: Greenhouse Gas Reduction Measures for New Development.
Learn more about ICLEI’s SEEC resources at www.californiaseec.org/tools-guidance/advanced-resources.
Institute for Local Government
As part of the SEEC partnership, ILG administers the Beacon Award: Local Leadership toward Solving Climate Change, recognizing cities and counties that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy and adopt policies and programs that promote sustainability.
- Beacon Award Program Brochure
- How to Participate in the Beacon Award Program
- Cities and Counties Participating in the Beacon Award
- Beacon Award Participant Accomplishments
- ILG’s Climate Action and Sustainability Best Practices Framework
- Sustainability Whitepapers, Tip Sheets and Other Resources
Local Government Commission
As part of the SEEC partnership, LGC is conducting a series of meetings, webinars and forums that will provide both networking and educational opportunities for local governments on energy efficiency and climate change.
- Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Forum
- Energy and Climate Change Webinars
- Local Government Partnerships Networking Meetings
Utility Resources
The four utility partners in the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative offer resources to help local agencies save energy, save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Each utility provides a suite of programs for local agencies. Visit the links below for more information about the utility programs available.
- Pacific Gas and Electric Company: www.pge.com/sustainablecommunities
- San Diego Gas & Electric Company: www.sdge.com/save-money/solutions-your-business/energy-savings-solutions
- Southern California Edison: www.sce.com/business/ems/governmentandinstitutional/default.htm, or www.sce.com/business/energy-solutions/energy-efficiency-partnerships.htm
- Southern California Gas Company: www.socalgas.com/for-your-business/rebates/industry/government.shtml
Statewide Local Government Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator
The SEEC partnership works closely with the Statewide Local Government Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator to help local agencies implement California’s Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan.
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.
