How Should Los Angeles Spend Its Energy Efficiency Block Grants?
This week, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power finished distributing 2 compact fluorescent lightbulbs to all 1.2 million LA City households. While the CFL distribution program cost the DWP $3 million, they estimate that the city-wide use of CFLs over time will ultimately save the utility $61.3 million in fuel costs.
That’s precisely the sort of pro-active policy that government can take to save both money AND energy and make Los Angeles greener one household…and one lightbulb…at a time.
What’s the next energy-saving program that Los Angeles should invest in?
Thanks to the stimulus package, Los Angeles is due to receive $37 million in Energy Efficiency Block Grants, money that we intend to spend on projects that reduce our carbon footprint and put people to work retro-fitting buildings, installing renewable energy sources, painting rooves white, etc.
Do you know of projects or organizations that are doing this work but simply need more funding? Do you have any thoughts on which projects we should be investing in? What are they doing at your workplace to make your office greener? Here are some initiatives that we’re considering funding with the block grant funds, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
- Development of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy and Technical Consultant Services to assist in the development of a strategy to reduce Los Angeles’s carbon footprint.
- Residential and Commercial Building Energy Audits.
- Financial Incentive Programs and Mechanisms for energy efficiency improvements such as energy savings performance contracting, on-bill financing, and revolving loan funds.
- Grants to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies for the purpose of performing Energy Efficiency Retrofits.
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs for Buildings and Facilities.
- Development and Implementation of Transportation Programs to conserve energy.
- Building Codes and Inspections to promote building energy efficiency.
- Energy Distribution Technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency, including distributed resources, combined heat and power, and district heating and cooling systems.
- Material Conservation Programs including source reduction, recycling, and recycled content procurement programs that lead to increases in energy efficiency.
- Reduction and Capture of Methane and Greenhouse Gases generated by landfills or similar waste-related sources.
- Energy efficient Traffic Signals and Street Lighting.
- Renewable Energy Technologies on Government Buildings.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Has anyone analyzed energy usage to determine where savings would have the greatest impact? Is it residential? Business? Public facilities? Seems like conservation efforts should be targeted first to where it will do the most good.
One thing I love about the City’s recycling program is that it makes it so easy. How can we make it easy for people to conserve energy? I think the idea of Energy Audits are great, but then how do people implement the recommendations?
Is the water shortage issue being considered separately from energy in the city?
April 20th, 2009 at 10:05 am
I would like to see school lunches go green
and schools to be not just retro fit, but have solar panels so they cna reduce the amount of electricity needed.
I would like to see a white asphalt developed that makes the city less hot
real bio desiel for school buses
buildings with landmark status to be able to get grants for white roofs and solar
April 20th, 2009 at 10:05 am
I feel we need more start up companies that deal with solar energy work. The PORT of LA and the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce is has help start “Port Technologies Development Center” that will work to develop or enhance busesses by getting them GREEN.
Also, apartment and condo complex should be give MAJOR Tax breaks and even grants to have solar panels installed on the buildings. Business should be able to get same credit. Lets make LA the solar panel capital or the world.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Eric,
I would propose that the money be provided to home owners who would like to upgrade thier existing electrical panels and add solar to power or put back power into the grid.
This would allow many of the older homes in Los Angeles, CA to upgrade to exisisting electrical code allowing these homes to be safer and more efficient, keeps contractors and suppliers moving, and it will add capacity to the electrical grid to help reduce/eliminate black outs/brown outs.
For example, I just purchased a home less than 1hr ago. I’d really like to go more green by installing solar panels. In order to do so, I would also have to install a new electrical panel because the wiring is so old. I’ve received estimates between 5k-8k just to replace my electrical panel. A solar install would cost an additional 15k-18k dollars. An incentive to upgrade my electrical panel along with other state incentives to be more energy efficient by installing solar panels would help reduce overall costs and would help people like me to move forward on these types of projects.
A $1,500 incentive for electrical panel combined with $2,500 incentive for solar panels connected to the grid would be a huge savings for people and a mid to long term investment for the city of Los Angeles in becoming more energy efficient. I also believe once people make this investment, it will roll over into other home projects that will have a benefit to Los Angeles.
Thanks,
Alfredo Montemayor
April 20th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Development of Citywide Recycled Water/”Gray water” Infrastructure system.
April 20th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I upport sunset junction street fair!! You and your staff arebeing unfair
!! If you won’t sure your support I will not support you in your political future and make sure the public and press knows about you! Your staff mitch and Ryan have lied to the public and are saying you are aware of what they are doing. Please set your staff straight they are making you look bad!!!
April 20th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
From my Facebook page (thanks for all of the debate and responses so far!):
Marta Segura at 11:00am April 20
Culturally competent communications combined with savvy and real ideas about water, energy conservation and what I call large scale systems change meetings with community to advise the leadership and visa versa. We also need to address how most of water is used in landscaping of golf courses, and large underused pieces of land that affect very few… would like to brainstorm in person, becuz behavior change is much more than a marketing campaign, it takes real involvement of community, creating their own solutions. Like manybe hiring job corps youth to be trained on going to neighborhoods and educating and promotoing energy conservation….so many thoughts here..See Gusatov Arellanos post on water conservation…
Susan Ji-Young Park at 11:01am April 20
Make lessons in environmental stewardship, water conservation, the 3 R’s part of the curriculum at LAUSD.
John Mavar at 11:06am April 20
I feel we need more start up companies that deal with solar energy work. The PORT of LA and the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce is has help start “Port Technologies Development Center” that will work to develop or enhance businesses by getting them GREEN.
Also, apartment and condo complex should be give MAJOR Tax breaks and even grants to have solar panels installed on the buildings. Business should be able to get same credit. Lets make LA the solar panel capital or the world.
Marian Urquilla at 11:06am April 20 via Facebook Mobile
I’ll send you some framing documents for the system-building approach Living Cities is championing.
Ken Valderrama at 11:09am April 20
See if we can have an energy audit of city facility’s. If the city can use a smaller less wasteful bits of civic infrastructure.
It will cost money to run the audit and replace any older energy wasting equipment but in the long term it will work out.
Jason McDaniel at 11:11am April 20
I wonder how much it would cost to purchase solar panels for every residential dwelling in the city? And, not being an expert on energy issues, would that be a good thing for the energy usage issues of Los Angeles?
Clifford J. Tasner at 11:22am April 20
I’m still waiting for that Subway to the Sea! I love the subway – every time I ride it, I feel like I’m in a ‘real’ city! I want that sensation to be able to take me all over the region. Think of how much productivity LA will reclaim if people aren’t doomed to so many hours in traffic!
Hannah Grenade at 11:23am April 20
derby dolls on the banked track seems much more efficient than wind power…just sayin.
Douglas Cobb at 11:36am April 20
give it back and become a self sufficient, self sustaining entity. Have LA live within its means like we all have to. Dont become a slave to the federal or state governments.
IMHO.
Cindy Rosenberg at 11:37am April 20
getting started on the infrastructure for electric cars? and more solar!! solar street lights? we have so much sun!!
Jason McDaniel at 11:41am April 20
Mr. Cobb: “slave to the federal or state governments” meaning what exactly? Self-sufficient? If I am not mistaken, the Los Angeles economy and taxpayers contribute way more in GDP and tax revenues than they get back. But that is besides the point. Federal money for energy efficiency in the form of block grants to local government is good policy that will help create jobs, and be cost effective.
Douglas Cobb at 11:50am April 20
Mr. McDaniel: While true that we pay way more than we receive, money comes with expectations/regulations/more laws which means less freedom.
Read about the state park in Hawaii where local people did for PENNIES and in DAYS what the state government said would require MILLIONS and take YEARS. Those government jobs (in the Hawaiin story) were not necessary.
All I’m saying is the system promotes MASSIVE inefficiencies…. If we are paying more than we are receiving, why should we beg (grant writing) and say will spend it the way the Feds want us too.
Jason McDaniel at 11:54am April 20
I think you misunderstand the meaning of Block Grant. There are reporting and accountability requirements (to guard against waste, abuse, corruption). But block grants are designed to let policy innovation take place, and to allow localities to design their own programs to meet their needs. Conservatives used to be in favor of these things, rather than making vague charges of “slavery” and “freedom.”
Jason McDaniel at 11:57am April 20
And it is absolutely true that government programs can be inefficient, compared with some market activities. But, not always, and we usually get something in return for inefficiency (transparency, equal opportunity, etc.).
Additionally, one benefit of this program may be the ability to address a market externality: the subsidization of dirty energy makes it less expensive than clean energy (massive oversimplification alert). Hopefully this program may spur a market for green energy.
Ken Valderrama at 11:59am April 20
Republicans built the city! I long for a revival of Eisenhower era conservative values in regrade to infrastructureand science
Kimberly Ray at 12:01pm April 20
What about retrofitting households below a certain income level with basic conservation items like low flow toilets, energy efficient water heaters and appliances? I’m no expert, just a thought.
John Howard Arnold at 12:21pm April 20
Please protect our historic resources while energy efficiency happens. I get fearful of subsidies for window replacement, removal of wood siding and other historic finishes.
Douglas Cobb at 12:23pm April 20
I understand Block grants. I’m just not a fan of government dangling money in order to adjust our (states, cities, counties, individuals) behavior and then citing penalties for “bad” behavior. “Hopefully this program may spur a market for green energy” and if it does not, what, will it be forced on everyone? Government programs ARE (not can be), … Read Moreby defintion, ineffecient as their is NO competition and when there is, (AMTRAC, Post Office, etc), they lose. And that transparency you speak of that WE get as a benefit of the inefficiency, please. There is SO much corropton in governtmentr and corportations. I say spend it on getting rid of graft! Better dollar spent!
The Constitution says “Promote” the general welfare, not “Provide” for it!
Check out the story of the Hawaiin State park. Only problem, the city/state is now probably gonna come in an condemn their work because some animal/bug is displaced, or some group was not included in the work or the design or whatever.
Ron Schwolsky at 12:30pm April 20
Being in the EE business for the last few yrs it is crucial that we build an infrastructure of trained professionals. Education is where we must start. Green for All’s message of providing jobs while greening our city is not only a humanistic approach, but is the evolution from lessons learned that success is in a long-term sustainable approach.
http://www.ReasEnergy.com
Marta Evry at 12:42pm April 20
Have you looked at 1BOG? (one block off the grid – a solar collective) http://1bog.org/
Anji Williams at 12:46pm April 20 via Facebook Mobile
Educational programs and Advertising. In SD, there was a “Don’t be a waterhog” campaign when I was a kid, and I can still remember the entire song…
Robert Dhondrup at 12:52pm April 20
Eric: Set the baselines for these three priorities: 1) It must address a pressing global concern 2) It must bring together diverse communities into a shared common goal for improving their quality of lives and 3) It must be sustainable and provide a model that can be shared and adapted by the larger community. When we look at these baselines, … Read Moreseveral things come to my mind: We need walkable communities, more community gardens, and low-carbon economies – especially in LA’s immigrant and communities of color. It’s great to think hybrid cars and solar panels, but to me it’s just as important to look at the busy sidewalks and unused lots across the City and think “why can’t we spend more money improving those” than putting up a solar panels on 1 of 500 homes and calling that progress? We can make a bigger difference urging more people to get out of their cars and growing their own organic produce locally – and these often ignored communities can appreciate the aid much more and learn.
Robert Dhondrup at 12:57pm April 20
and oh yea, use local workers’ (esp. those workers’ of color who have been hit hardest by the current recession) to help ‘build’ these walking community improvements and public gardens. If anything, THINK. don’t act on the old perceptions that Green is just solar panels and hybrids. for alot of working poor in LA – they cannot afford a Hybrid nor a tax break to put a solar panel on a home they cannot afford.
Kim S. Christensen at 1:15pm April 20
Solar on the roofs. Grant money to fund it on residences, apartment buildings, businesses. Not just tax breaks, fund it. Totally agree with John Mavar’s comment re the solar. Let’s make LA the solar panel capitol of the world.
While we are at it, how about running the city’s school buses on a mixture of recycled cooking oil mixed with diesel fuel, making them bio diesel buses? Those are some stinky buses we’ve got the kids in. Number one cause of Asthma in kids is school buses. They still use cooking oil in the school lunches, I bet. Could be a cradle to cradle project for the LAUSD.
Kimberly Daniel at 1:16pm April 20
Put solar panels on all of our Elementary Schools.
Spencer Windes at 1:16pm April 20
Grade separated bus/bike lanes. More public transport=less energy used!
April 20th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Councilman Garcetti,
How about building sustainable housing for the poor utilizing the Michael Reynolds’ Earthship Biosphere technology? This guy is a genius, and build off the grid housing out of garbage. I am currently in touch with him and trying my best to spread the word globally about the amazing work this maverick is doing not only in New Mexico, but worldwide. I encourage everyone to see the film in order to truly grasp what I’m trying to convey.
April 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
$37 million is a lot of money, but not THAT much. Each dollar should be spent wisely.
Yes, funding solar panels for residential rooftops is a noble cause – unfortunately, its effect is likely to be small considering the cost would far surpass the funding available.
Instead, I believe much of the money should be used to “green” Los Angeles the old-fashioned way: Tree planting.
It’s well known that trees reduce cooling costs in the summer, improve property values and reduce the overall heat-sink effect in our asphalt and concrete city.
The DWP’s residential giveaway program is a start (though the efficacy of giving away saplings is suspect at best), and I’d like to see more city-sponsored efforts to plant and replant trees along streets and sidewalks, and in asphalt medians. Replace that asphalt with a few good trees!
April 20th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Eric, consider using it for high impact projects affecting small to middle school children, perhaps helping YWCA, YMCA, child care centers do a greening checklist, from head to toe. Use one child care center, Para Los Ninos for example to green their site and do it for all Headstart centers…, simple, highest impact like: solar panels in their roofs to reduce their use of powers, energy efficient LED lights in all their classrooms, and then, an environmental remediation for simple things that directly impact these child care centers: their air conditioners, their use of compost, their use of water..etc. Then, choose some industries with lots of ripple effects: energy use of food processors, bakeries, restaurants…- from these demonstrated industries and increasing their green factor, we are all impacted as we eat food 4 times a day at least! Thanks for allowing us the input, you are one visionary leader who listens with no wax in his ears ( the euphemism we use for politicians who lead without vision and public participation )!
April 20th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
More replies from Facebook:
Eric ► Beteille
Eric ► Beteille at 2:07pm April 20
Maybe don’t start anything new. Just do everything else better and faster. Speedy McCity.
Jon Lynn
Jon Lynn at 2:31pm April 20
What about a game show, like Hollywood Squares, but with kids? Gary Coleman could host.
Lynn Marie Mierzejewski
Lynn Marie Mierzejewski at 3:00pm April 20 via Facebook Mobile
Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know this that education could really use money like that right now. Especially with 6500 employees getting laid off from LAUSD in the fall.
Mary Ann Cherry
Mary Ann Cherry at 3:34pm April 20
Extend the DASH lines. Make electric bus lines.
Ryan Ballinger
Ryan Ballinger at 5:20pm April 20
solar panel rebates for businesses who install them and can sell back power to dwp?
Prosy Delacruz
Prosy Delacruz at 8:31pm April 20
Deliver cheaper utilities using solar panels, wind turbines, a case of marrying mother nature with available technology, just like the examples of Seville, Spain, Australia, and do a partnership with private investors/bankers to grow the seed monies of $30 million. With a project that delivers cheaper utilities to all, it uplifts the economy as … Read Moremore monies are freed up, libraries are cooled cheaply, schools and child care centers are powered cheaply, hospitals are powered cheaply, government buildings are powered cheaply and we demonstrate LA City as a green city.
LA City Convention Center already leads in its green operational practices, give them a shot to greenify the city’s entire building, from head to toe, and translate it to cheaper convention fees for non-profits. LA CIty convention center increases their bookings, and non-profits can thrive as well.
Marcia Schneider
Marcia Schneider at 8:58pm April 20
wonder if there could be a way to save water – switch to grey water in drought times to irrigate residences?
Marcia Schneider
Marcia Schneider at 8:59pm April 20
By the way – go Florida – smart energy grid!
Prosy Delacruz
Prosy Delacruz at 9:25pm April 20
Invite DWP to work with small businesses in the food manufacturing area to reduce their utility usage through solar panels, and other engineering means. Food is consumed by folks at least 4 times a day. And, encourage the small businesses to pass the savings by hiring folks. Folks with jobs buy more food…and so on…the multiplier effect…… Read Moregreening their pockets, with green technology in utilities greens the economy with jobs..and so on…
Another is to install solar panels to light up the parks, and by keeping the parks lighted in key parts of Los Angeles reduce gang activities and increase community’s sense of peace.
Another is to do energy projects at key non-profits who own their buildings, by passing the savings on utilities, encourage them to hire folks too…as you reduce utilities cost, the savings is passed on in terms of more jobs.
Dean Hansell
Dean Hansell at 10:40pm April 20
Eric,
In a city of our size, $37M is not a lot. If there are ways that those monies can be leveraged they will go much further. For example,
1. Can we hire/retain people to do free home/business energy audits that include detailed, user friendly information about where to purchase the items identified…. Read More
2. Can we underwrite a series of green energy expos where vendors and repair people can offer their goods and services and not charge participants. (The green expo at the Convention Center early in the year deterred many from attending due to the admission price.)
3. Have a City hosted web site for persons offering green goods and services.
4. To reduce the number of persons being ripped off by incompetent or unscrupulous energy efficient technicians consider either licensing them or developing a system like Angie’s List where people can post their experiences with people they hire for energy efficiency projects.
Finally, extend bike trails, such as Ballona Creek
April 20th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
A small business, grassroots, entrepreneurial approach is what will give people jobs and the ability to feed their families while we implement energy efficient protocols throughout our city. For example, while CFLs are good, LED lights are better. By committing to the purchase of a certain number of LED lights we will support the manufacture (small business), distribution (entrepreneur) and installation (decent paying jobs) of this energy efficient lighting in buildings. I say we target buildings used for the public good – schools, community centers, DMVs, court houses and such – first.
Another energy efficient program: implementation of a hybrid system between private car use and public transportation using flex vehicles (powered by alternative fuels or electric). Bicycles in LA are a great idea but they’re a pipe dream. Our infrastructure just wasn’t made for it city wide.
Entrepreneurs have these EcoFleets available. If we start with workers paid by state dollars (teachers, government employees) and give them an incentive to use flex vehicles or participate in alt vehicle rideshare 2-3 times a week, we can begin to significantly reduce fuel usage and congestion on the roads. Again, this provides jobs: for drivers and it encourages alt fuel vehicle usage and it supports entrepreneurial efforts at a grassroots level. Multiple contracts are key so that no one company has the entire market sewn up.
Switching to water conservation: When I drive around this city I cringe at how many car washes I pass. Waterless carwash products exist that are also non-toxic, therefore easy on the environment multiple ways. Yes, they are more labor intensive than driving a car through a water-spraying car wash BUT jobs are what people need right now. Again, lets start with public usage vehicles: all MTA buses washed only with waterless carwash, fire trucks, city cars, police cars, all DWP vehicles. This creates Jobs: the workers washing the cars Entrepreneurs: sales associates and distributors Manufacturing: the manufacturing and assembly of the product
Building Retrofits: Landscaping – Only native plant gardens or artificial grass lawns should be allowed to exist here in SoCal. Both of these landscaping techniques considerably reduce water usage. Less water means less energy used for its transport to us.
Rooftops: Rooftops can be planted with Victory Gardens – again this creates jobs (gardening – something that seniors and youth might like) and entrepreneurs – the distribution and selling at market of the surplus yield.
Rooftops: when not planted with victory gardens, any rooftop in SoCal needs to have solar on it. Can we work it so that the excess energy is then fed back into the grid? We must be the Saudis of Solar – let’s figure out how to put it to work for us. Tax incentives are a good start. How about creating a Solar Installation Job Corps. and then letting the solar companies figure out how to get the product to the consumer?
April 21st, 2009 at 9:44 am
Please increase renewable energy projects on City builings.
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Some other responses we got (keep ‘em coming!):
Eric ► Beteille at 2:07pm April 20
Maybe don’t start anything new. Just do everything else better and faster. Speedy McCity.
Jon Lynn at 2:31pm April 20
What about a game show, like Hollywood Squares, but with kids? Gary Coleman could host.
Lynn Marie Mierzejewski at 3:00pm April 20 via Facebook Mobile
Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know this that education could really use money like that right now. Especially with 6500 employees getting laid off from LAUSD in the fall.
Mary Ann Cherry at 3:34pm April 20
Extend the DASH lines. Make electric bus lines.
Ryan Ballinger at 5:20pm April 20
solar panel rebates for businesses who install them and can sell back power to dwp?
Prosy Delacruz at 8:31pm April 20
Deliver cheaper utilities using solar panels, wind turbines, a case of marrying mother nature with available technology, just like the examples of Seville, Spain, Australia, and do a partnership with private investors/bankers to grow the seed monies of $30 million. With a project that delivers cheaper utilities to all, it uplifts the economy as … Read Moremore monies are freed up, libraries are cooled cheaply, schools and child care centers are powered cheaply, hospitals are powered cheaply, government buildings are powered cheaply and we demonstrate LA City as a green city.
LA City Convention Center already leads in its green operational practices, give them a shot to greenify the city’s entire building, from head to toe, and translate it to cheaper convention fees for non-profits. LA CIty convention center increases their bookings, and non-profits can thrive as well.
Marcia Schneider at 8:58pm April 20
wonder if there could be a way to save water – switch to grey water in drought times to irrigate residences?
Marcia Schneider at 8:59pm April 20
By the way – go Florida – smart energy grid!
Prosy Delacruz at 9:25pm April 20
Invite DWP to work with small businesses in the food manufacturing area to reduce their utility usage through solar panels, and other engineering means. Food is consumed by folks at least 4 times a day. And, encourage the small businesses to pass the savings by hiring folks. Folks with jobs buy more food…and so on…the multiplier effect…… Read Moregreening their pockets, with green technology in utilities greens the economy with jobs..and so on…
Another is to install solar panels to light up the parks, and by keeping the parks lighted in key parts of Los Angeles reduce gang activities and increase community’s sense of peace.
Another is to do energy projects at key non-profits who own their buildings, by passing the savings on utilities, encourage them to hire folks too…as you reduce utilities cost, the savings is passed on in terms of more jobs.
Dean Hansell at 10:40pm April 20
Eric,
In a city of our size, $37M is not a lot. If there are ways that those monies can be leveraged they will go much further. For example,
1. Can we hire/retain people to do free home/business energy audits that include detailed, user friendly information about where to purchase the items identified…. Read More
2. Can we underwrite a series of green energy expos where vendors and repair people can offer their goods and services and not charge participants. (The green expo at the Convention Center early in the year deterred many from attending due to the admission price.)
3. Have a City hosted web site for persons offering green goods and services.
4. To reduce the number of persons being ripped off by incompetent or unscrupulous energy efficient technicians consider either licensing them or developing a system like Angie’s List where people can post their experiences with people they hire for energy efficiency projects.
Finally, extend bike trails, such as Ballona Creek
Joe Mellis at 12:55am April 21
E,
here’s a few ideas:
1. Free classes at city parks for kids (geared to fun) and adults (geared to saving money) on energy efficiency, recycling, composting for home gardening, simple water conservation, etc.?
2. More shaded areas at bus stops.
3. Solar panels at police & fire stations (maybe a matching funds scene with other entities to make that happen?) … Read More
4. Incentives for small and midsize businesses with the right roof structures to put in rooftop gardens.
5. more and better looking and actually eye catching garbage cans and recycling cans on the streets.
Even when it’s done thinking about public policy, procrastination is still procrastination – it’s back to the books for me.
Keep up the excellent work!
J Victoria Minetta at 8:18am April 21
Since we need to produce a ton of solar cells, why not make them here instead of outsourcing to another country? There are lots of empty warehouses in Watts that could be used to build them with local labor.
Leonardo Chalupowicz at 2:52pm April 22
LETS INSTITUTE THE DASH to help people get around the hood and save gas, energy, the environment!!
May 8th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Would love to see some more bike lanes, bike racks and signage throughout LA.
May 14th, 2009 at 5:31 am
for starters, i would like to see more effort put into cleaning the trash from the streets and sewers and keeping them clean. it’s especially bad in the northeast la region. there needs to be harsher penalties for littering and more efforts put forth to get people to recycle. suggestions include mandating that store owners not sweep trash from the sidewalks in front of their place of business and onto the streets.