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 includes 27 participating cities and noted Pico Rivera previously won silver and gold awards before attaining platinum in 2024. Hector De la Torre, director of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, said the platinum tier was created because "there would be a need to go higher" and added of Pico Rivera's performance: "you guys broke the curve."

Council members and staff described specific local measures the panel credited. Farrar said public-works crews helped replace eight older water heaters with new heat-pump models. He said the city pursued Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop its first climate action and adaptation plan. Council members and staff noted a municipal offering that pairs solar panels with Tesla Powerwall batteries for residents "with no upfront cost." City staff confirmed use of an AQMD grant to replace internal fleet vehicles with electric models; when asked whether five vehicles had been acquired, a staff member replied, "I believe we have 4. We have 2 F-150s. We have 2 [Toyota models]," adding that some model names were uncertain in the exchange on the dais.

Victor Farrar introduced two recent hires in the Office of Sustainability, saying Paola joined in June 2024 and Stephanie in July 2024; Farrar added that Stephanie is "on track to complete her master's in public administration this year." Farrar also outlined next objectives for the office, including a target to create "90% plus diversion in our commercial trash" in partnership with a local business and the city’s trash operator and a goal to make City Hall a net-zero facility.

Council members praised the recognition and the city's direction. Mayor Garcia thanked staff and singled out the public-works electric vehicle and heat-pump work. De la Torre told the council that other cities at the award ceremony "were jealous" of Pico Rivera's initiatives and that the platinum metric will raise the bar regionally.

The council also noted that many of the region's municipal sustainability achievements can produce long-term cost savings despite higher upfront costs. Farrar and others said the city will continue program rollout and outreach to residents and businesses.

Votes at a glance

The council approved the consent calendar (items 1–11), which included the appointment to the planning commission, on a 5–0 roll-call vote. The motion to approve the consent calendar was moved by Councilmember Laura and seconded by Councilmember Lutz. The roll call was recorded as: Councilmember Laura — yes; Councilmember Lutz — yes; Councilwoman Dr. Monica Sanchez — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Gustavo Camacho — yes; Mayor Garcia — yes. Motion passes 5–0.

What happened next

After the presentation and council remarks the meeting proceeded to public comment and the remainder of the agenda. The council later recessed into closed session to discuss two pending legal matters — Velasquez v. City of Pico Rivera and McHugh v. City of Pico Rivera — as announced by the city attorney; no closed-session discussion or outcome was disclosed on the public record at the Jan. 14 meeting.

Why this matters

Council members and regional officials said the platinum award signals that Pico Rivera's centralized sustainability efforts, new staffing and targeted projects are being noticed in the Gateway Cities region. Several programs discussed at the meeting—residential solar and battery offerings, heat-pump water-heater replacements, fleet electrification and a climate action plan—are intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower operating costs over time, according to staff remarks.