This is the driest year to date in California, based on records going back 128 years. With a hot summer ahead, Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) urges you to do your part on using less water; find tips and resources at irwd.com/drought.

Irvine residents are encouraged to save water and money by staying within their monthly water budget, but IRWD customers are not subject to restrictions on watering their yards. Check out IRWD's suggested irrigation schedule to make sure you're not wasting water.

Most public areas in the IRWD service area will remain green because they are irrigated with drought-proof recycled water. Water reliability is precariously uncertain in other regions of the state, and we should all pitch in to help.

Visit IRWD's website RightScape.com for more information.

The City of Irvine has partnered with the nonprofit OC Solar to launch Solarize Irvine, a program providing solar education to Irvine residents. Solarize Irvine educates interested residents on solar energy, including how to install solar panels on rooftops to save money, advance clean energy, and create local jobs.

OC Solar has negotiated a group discount and excellent warranties on solar installations for the community with pre-vetted installers to make going solar easy and affordable. 

• Save money with group discounts.
• Claim a 26% Federal Solar Tax Credit.
• Power your home and ride with clean energy.
• Invest in the future.

Learn more at a Solarize Irvine online workshop Wednesday, June 22, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Register in advance for this webinar.

California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) is a law that
requires every business and resident to recycle their organic waste. Organic waste includes green waste and food waste, such as meat, bones, dairy, fruit and vegetable scraps; food-soiled paper such as napkins and paper towels; and yard clippings. Organic waste can be recycled into compost, which is a nutrient-filled soil amendment, and can be processed into renewable energy such as electricity or heat. 

SB 1383 Community Information Meetings
The City of Irvine will be hosting virtual town hall meetings on the new food waste recycling program for residents. Information will be provided on the legislation that requires food to be recovered and recycled in the future. Learn what to expect and how you can prepare for food waste recycling at home. The City's waste hauler, Waste Management, will also give an overview of current recycling services and programs.

• Thursday, June 30, 6–7 p.m.
  Register at https://bit.ly/IRVjunetownhall.
• Wednesday, July 13,  6–7 p.m.
  Register at https://bit.ly/Irvinejulytownhall.

The City of Irvine is proud to partner with the State of California for Switch is On, a campaign that supports Californians throughout the journey of home electrification. Swapping out gas-powered appliances for electric appliances is one of the most effective and important actions you can do for a better energy future, and is essential to help Irvine meet its ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Electric appliances are also safer, more efficient, and can lead to more savings compared to gas counterparts.

As part of the Switch is On campaign, Irvine residents can speak one-on-one with energy and appliance advisors, find vetted contractors, access shortcuts to incentive programs and rebate portals, and learn about more ways you can support climate action efforts on a grassroots level.

Visit cityofirvine.org/electrify-irvine/switch to learn more about Switch is On and for more resources on going electric.

Since the start of the Cool Block Program in January 2022, Irvine residents participating in the Cool Block program have taken more than 1,100 actions to make their homes and lifestyles sustainable, pledged to take another 1,700 environmentally conscious actions, and reduced 480,415 pounds of CO2. Now, it's your turn to join this amazing movement!

Cool Irvine is recruiting Cool Block Leaders, student leaders, and general volunteers. As a Cool Block Leader, you will be joining 200 other volunteers and more than 60 leaders from Irvine who have committed to being a part of this ground-breaking approach to combat climate change. Volunteer to be a part of a fun, inclusive, and sustainable experience to help Irvine reach its ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

For more information about Cool Irvine or the Cool Block Program, please visit coolirvine.org.

The City of Irvine is offering a free Green Business Assistance Program designed to help businesses operate sustainably and receive public recognition for their efforts. Becoming a Certified Green Business means implementing practices that reduce energy and water consumption; prevent pollution; divert waste from landfills; and assist staff in creating a cleaner, healthier environment for their employees.

Visit the Green Business Program website to see which businesses are certified in the program. Email environmentalprograms@cityofirvine.org to nominate a business for certification.

Get up to $230 in credits on your energy bill when you sign up for the Southern California Edison (SCE) Summer Discount Plan. There's no cost to enroll or participate in the program. Flexible program options let residents choose their level of comfort and savings, and participants can receive up to $180 in summer season credits, plus a one-time $50 bonus applied to their bill at the end of the year.

SCE customers can also sign up for the Demand Response (DR) Alerts mobile app. Set up the app to receive courtesy custom alerts about upcoming DR events, notifications on when air conditioning will be turned off, and warnings on when energy events start and end. Sign up for DR Alerts here.