Lemon Grove joins statewide program on best practices for sustainability

Lemon Grove is joining other cities around California in the Beacon Program that recognizes local efforts being made toward new, sustainable policies and practices and programs that help move toward energy efficiency.

The City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution committing to participate in the free program, which has been around more than 10 years and has about 160 local agencies participating.

Local cities that are already part of the Beacon program include Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, Encinitas, La Mesa, National City, Oceanside, San Diego and Solana Beach. San Diego County is also a member of Beacon.

In a report to the city, Lemon Grove Community Development Manager Noah Alvey wrote that the program will provide a framework for Lemon Grove to formulate and and “share best practices that create healthier, more efficient, sustainable communities.”

The Beacon program also honors voluntary efforts by cities and counties to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt policies and programs that promote sustainability. Designed to complement existing efforts related to sustainability and cities’ Climate Action Plan, cities that participate in the Beacon Program sometimes have an edge on state and other grant funding opportunities.

Lemon Grove’s Climate Action Plan has a set of goals looking to safeguard natural resources, conserve energy and save money. The plan also includes sections on promoting sustainable land use and transportation planning in the community.

According to the Institute for Local Government, which oversees the program, in 2020, 36 Beacon Award winners reduced the equivalent of over 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. The group says that is the equivalent of removing almost 1.1 million cars from the road, powering 866,000 homes for one year or sequestering carbon from 85 million trees. It also equates to about $450 million in public health benefits, the group says.

Chula Vista and the city of San Diego both won a Gold Beacon Vanguard Award last year for greenhouse gas reductions, natural gas savings and overall energy savings. Chula Vista also earned a platinum level award in sustainability best practices while San Diego won a gold level award in sustainability best practices.

Beacon participants can reach out to other members for technical assistance in collecting, reporting and tracking best practices, energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions. Members also have access to monthly communications about innovative practices and can attend peer-to-peer networking and educational events. There are also opportunities to showcase climate leadership and agency achievements statewide.

The program is a product of the Institute for Local Government, a group that empowers local government leaders to navigate complex issues and build trust in their communities. The Institute is also the non-profit training and education affiliate of the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, and the California Special Districts Association.

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