Pico Rivera wins first-ever Gateway Cities COG platinum energy award; council highlights local sustainability programs

Pico Rivera won the first-ever platinum Energy Action Award from the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, and the City Council used its Jan. 14 meeting to highlight local sustainability programs that contributed to the recognition.

At the City Council meeting, staff introduced the regional award and described the initiatives behind it, including a climate action and adaptation plan funded through energy-efficiency block grant funds from the U.S. Department of Energy; a municipal program offering residential solar and Tesla battery backup with no upfront cost; a replacement of older water heaters with energy-efficient heat-pump units; and purchases of electric city vehicles supported by an AQMD grant. "And now I'm happy to recognize Pico Rivera as the first city to achieve the platinum award by completing the highest level of activities to save money and increase the city's" sustainability work, staff member Victor Farrar said during the presentation.

The Gateway Cities program ranks participating municipalities by a rubric that awards bronze, silver, gold and, beginning in 2024, platinum recognitions for energy-efficiency and sustainability activities. Farrar told the council the program…