Through the generosity of the Western Riverside Council of Governments, I had the opportunity to visit two places I want to live in! They're called Southern California Edison Smart Energy Experience located in Irwindale, and the Frontier Project Green Building Facility in Rancho Cucamonga.

For those of us who are "electric toy junkies," these places are wonderland! Edison services more than 14 million customers - yes, Beaumont, you're there - and has begun installing 2.5 million "smart connects" that run on wireless radio chips and dispense real time energy tips while your appliances are running.

I am going to start saving my nickels, because when I find out where to buy them, I want to redo my kitchen with countertops made from recycled glass and using environment-friendly resin. When my ship comes in, if it doesn't hit the pier, I will replace my worn carpet with bamboo floors. Did I mention – gorgeous and efficient?

The appliances at the Edison energy center talk to each other through something called a "smart connect." Tubular skylights, programmable thermostats and a plethora of other physical and personal energy saving chores are wrapped into one, portable control panel - much like an iPad. In other words, you can program anything on a switch. They cost about $150 to $200 and Edison offers rebates to offset some of the cost.

Since I'm not planning on moving, Edison programs won't work for me, so I contacted Fred Mason, Banning's electric utility director. Mason reminded me in an email that the Banning Electric Utility "has many rebate and incentive programs for customers that purchase energy efficient appliances/doors/windows and air conditioners."

Mason added, "We have rebates for adding higher rated insulation in walls and/or attics and retrofitting light fixtures with high efficiency fixtures and bulbs."

These programs are available in Banning for both residential and commercial customers. Before you go shopping, check out the Banning city website to see what incentives and rebates are available.

The Edison smart energy program is initially being rolled out in Whittier, but I would check the Edison website frequently to see when it might be coming to your neighborhood. The Edison presentation made an excellent case to illustrate why managing power consumption keeps costs down.

It's simply a matter of habit and behavior modification. Any appliance that is plugged in uses power, even when it's turned off, according to Edison. Charging your cell phone? Fine, when done, remove the plug from the wall. Altering routines - like shutting off lights when not in a room - always works.

I have wanted to visit a building constructed with the toughest environmental standards. There is such a place and it's known as the Frontier Project, located in Rancho Cucamonga. The standards were created by the U.S. Green Building Council. Through their efforts a rating system was developed called Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design.

There are approximately 7,368 projects worldwide, according to Frontier Project. The rating system includes the following categories: certified 40-49 points, silver 50-59 points, gold 60-79 points, and platinum, 80-plus points.

Thanks to watching a Banning City Council meeting a couple of months ago, I learned about an exciting program through the Western Riverside Council of Governments. It’s a lengthy title is: "Financing Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Retrofit Improvements for Western Riverside County." After listening to the council meeting, I went to the council of government's website and signed up for more information.

My father was often heard to say, "rich or poor; it's nice to have money." I'll probably never be rich but I continue to try to manage what I have; which includes energy and water conservation.

------------------

Beaumont knocks another home run

I was fortunate enough to be among the 175 people who attended the Beaumont State of the City address held at the Tukwet Golf Club on Thursday. The state of Beaumont is solid and solvent. With a population of 6,818 in 1980, the 2011 numbers are already over 38,877 and growing. With 222 employees, no debt and an FY 10/11 budget of $28,445,000, there is no end in sight for where Beaumont is going. Congratulations to all who make it possible!