Current Green Efforts
In an effort to conserve energy, preserve natural resources such as water and the existing urban forest in Cerritos, and promote green, environmentally friendly development in the community, the City has taken the following steps towards promoting green measures in Cerritos.
Recycling Programs
Household Hazardous Waste Roundups
Energy Efficiency Efforts
Solar City Hall
In 1978, Cerritos dedicated the nation’s first solar-heated City Hall complex. The use of a unique solar energy system, which supplies heat and hot water for the building, gained national attention. The solar City Hall was developed during the period when the nation became energy conscious. There are approximately 1,408 square feet of solar collection panels on the roof, which assist in circulating water to collect heat and preserve the sun's thermal energy. Use of the solar panels provides approximately 57 percent of City Hall’s space heating needs and approximately 95 percent of City Hall’s hot water needs.
Magnolia Power Plant — Electric Provider
In 2001, the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency entered into an agreement with six (6) other Southern California cities to construct an energy generation facility, the Magnolia Power Plant. The plant provides clean, reliable and lower-cost electricity resources for Cerritos traffic signals, park lighting, water wells and various City facilities. In addition, the Magnolia power plant provides electricity to local schools and major businesses in the City of Cerritos. The plant uses state-of-the-art technology for natural gas fired power plants, is an environmentally friendly facility for the generation of electricity, and assists in providing long term electricity supply in Cerritos.
Solar System at Corporate Yard
In 2010, a solar energy system comprised of 748 Unisolar thin film Photovoltaic solar modules was installed on the roof of one of the two 6-million gallon reservoirs at the Cerritos Corporate Yard. The solar panels generate approximately 148,000 kilowatts per year, which is enough to power approximately 50 percent of the electricity needs of the Cerritos Corporate Yard's main building. The project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which sponsored the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.
In 2011, an additional set of high capacity solar panels was installed on top of the second water reservoir at the Corporate Yard. The total production of solar energy from the two photovoltaic systems at the Corporate Yard is approximately 350,000 kilowatt hours annually. The two projects provide all the energy required to power the main building as well as a substantial portion of the power used to operate an adjacent water well. The recent project also included the rehabilitation of the Corporate Yard facility's original solar water-heating system. Half of the project cost was funded through a Department of Energy grant.
Transportation Efforts
LED Traffic Signal Replacement Program
The Department of Public Works has replaced all of the City's traffic signal lights with new light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. The new LED lamps are more efficient than conventional signal lights and require approximately 60 percent less energy to operate.
Traffic Signal Synchronization
To facilitate traffic movement, increase fuel economy, and reduce the amount of emissions generated, the City has synchronized the traffic signals surrounding the Los Cerritos Center and the Cerritos Towne Center. In addition, the City is working with Los Angeles County to synchronize all signal lights on Artesia Boulevard, as Artesia Boulevard is one of the City's busiest arterial streets.
Cerritos on Wheels (COW) Vehicles
The City's Cerritos on Wheels (COW) fixed-route transportation service utilizes propane vehicles rather than gasoline or diesel. Propane gas is a clean-burning fuel that increases energy efficiency and provides convenience and performance benefits to the City. To obtain schedule and route information for the Cerritos on Wheels transportation service, or to find information about Cerritos Dial-A-Ride and other transit connections in the City, visit cerritostransit.com.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles
Over the last few years the City of Cerritos has made it a priority to change and replace existing City vehicles with new CNG vehicles. Compressed Natural Gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline or diesel. In 2007, the City constructed its first CNG fueling station at its Corporate Yard. The City has purchased three fleet vehicles through clean air grants and will continue to look for funds to purchase additional vehicles. In addition, all street sweeping vehicles in Cerritos utilize CNG and, in a revised contract with Athens Services, all Athens Services vehicles are CNG operated.
Tree City USA
Over the past 25 years, Cerritos has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. The honor is given to select cities throughout the country for their outstanding community forestry programs and commitment to their urban forest.
Since the City’s incorporation in 1956, the Public Works Department has planted more than 28,000 trees along City sidewalks and medians, next to freeway ramps and throughout the City’s many parks and recreation facilities. In Cerritos, nearly every home has a City tree planted in its parkway. Approximately 250 young trees are planted each year to replace those that are damaged by storms, age or accidents. Trees help clean the air and have also been shown to increase property values. Cerritos employs a full-time staff of specialists who nurture the City’s urban forest. The crew uses the latest techniques to ensure the health and beauty of the trees. For more information on street-tree care or the City’s tree ordinance, call the Public Works Department at (562) 916-1220.
Heritage Trees
In celebration of Cerritos' park-like community with tree-lined streets and lush landscaping, the City of Cerritos Property Preservation Commission has identified trees with historical significance in Cerritos. Heritage trees are given special protection and care in Cerritos. To nominate a tree to be considered for historical recognition, please call the City's Public Works Department at (562) 916-1220.
Listed below are the City's Heritage Trees, both of which are located at the Cerritos Senior Center at Pat Nixon Park:
For More Information
Call the City's Department of Public Works at (562) 916-1220.