Carbon neutrality gets push
Hermosa Beach, the first city in Los Angeles County to pledge to become carbon neutral, will partner with AECOM Technology Corporation to seek grants and other funding to fulfill its promise to eliminate its carbon footprint, Mayor Michael DiVirgilio has announced.
The Los Angeles-based firm will provide consulting and grant-writing services to help Hermosa get funding for energy efficiency projects and other programs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, including the development of climate action plans, strategic environmental management and implementation of renewable energy.
The city will pay AECOM only when the firm secures a new grant.
“This is a winning partnership for the city and for the planet,” DiVirgilio said. “Working with a firm with experience in carbon neutral plans will ensure Hermosa Beach meets its goal of reducing greenhouse gases and eliminating the city’s carbon footprint.”
Earlier this year the Hermosa Beach City Council pledged to make the city’s operations carbon neutral by either eliminating its carbon dioxide emissions or supporting other efforts that take carbon dioxide out of the air.
The city is building innovative infiltration systems at the beach and on upper Pier Avenue to keep storm water out of the ocean, and a Green Task Force is developing a comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
AECOM has helped London and Austin, Texas, develop carbon neutral plans.
“We are pleased that AECOM will be able to lend its global expertise to help Hermosa Beach create a carbon neutral future for itself,” said Ruben Rojas, AECOM senior associate program manager.
“Hermosa Beach has a longstanding history of leadership when it comes to improving and protecting the environment – the City Council’s carbon neutral pledge is yet another example of that leadership,” he said. ER