Mobile Sustainability Education Empowers Residents with Hands-On Resources & Materials, Education & Innovations for Energy Efficiency, Electrification, and Water Conservation
LOS ANGELES, CA (February 12, 2026) The U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA), in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), announces the BuildSMART Trailer Tour for the City of Los Angeles’ Council District 5 (CD5). The initiative offers hands-on experience, bringing education and innovative technologies directly into communities to promote sustainability, decarbonization, and occupant health.
LADWP is supporting 12 BuildSMART Trailer tours hosted from October 2025 to June 2026 in CD5, which includes Westside and Mid-City neighborhoods, in close collaboration with partner organizations, municipalities, and schools. Through these community events, USGBC-CA expects to engage 2,000–4,000 residents within the targeted LADWP service area. Community members will explore decarbonization technologies and information on wildfire resilience; learn about sustainable building materials and energy-saving programs; complete educational surveys to measure awareness and barriers to home efficiency improvements; and receive giveaways of energy-efficient and water-conserving devices such as shower timers, LED bulbs, and sustainable material products. (Pictured at left: Resident reviews water-saving devices in the BuildSMART Trailer.)
Instructional videos and on-site support guide residents through applying for LADWP programs and rebates using tablets and digital resources, assisted by bilingual USGBC-CA staff. Participants may also opt to receive ongoing updates about resources and programs through USGBC-CA’s Green Homes California program.
Building on this direct engagement, USGBC-CA distributes Green Homes California resources, including some interactive digital tools such as:
- A Resident Toolkit with tips for saving energy and improving occupant health
- An EV Rebate Calculator to identify applicable programs and incentives
- A Home Electrification Planner to help homeowners upgrade their homes for reduced carbon emissions, lower utility bills, and connect with vetted local contractors
Resource flyers and QR codes also link directly to current LADWP programs and rebates, with trailer staff available to help residents navigate them.
To further advance education, USGBC-CA is developing a new Home Decarbonization Toolkit—available in English and Spanish—that provides actionable steps for tenants and property owners to reduce carbon emissions, energy costs, and water use. It will connect residents to the LADWP Efficient Product Marketplace and include strategies for energy efficiency, electrification, solar and battery storage, demand response, behavioral change, and water conservation. Water efficiency measures will draw from findings of the 50L Home Project to reduce the energy costs of hot water.
Through education, outreach, and direct assistance, this program catalyzes positive change in the targeted communities, fostering sustainability and environmental stewardship. The USGBC-CA project team is coordinating tour locations for best engagement, working closely with cities and community-based organizations—particularly in affordable and low-income housing areas—to ensure equitable participation and long-term impact.
By collecting and analyzing community survey data, the project team will identify local barriers to home efficiency and tailor outreach accordingly, ensuring effective, inclusive engagement.
“With so many challenges being thrown at them this past year, we need to meet Angelenos where they are, and the BuildSMART Trailer provides them with the practical tools and guidance to make more sustainable, affordable, and healthy choices for themselves and their families,” said Ben Stapleton, CEO, USGBC-CA. “We are excited to work with LADWP to deliver these resources and accessible information across Los Angeles, where it is needed.”
“At LADWP, building a clean energy future is not just a goal—it’s a shared responsibility,” said Janisse Quiñones, LADWP CEO and Chief Engineer. “Our partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council California reflects our commitment to empowering Angelenos to be part of the solution. Together, we are expanding access to sustainable technologies, advancing decarbonization, and ensuring that all communities benefit from the transition to a greener, more resilient Los Angeles. This collaboration strengthens our ability to deliver on that promise.”
To learn more about the BuildSMART Trailer Tour, including how to request a tour stop in your neighborhood, please contact the Green Homes California program at greenhomes@usgbc-ca.org, or visit usgbc-ca.org/programs/green-homes.
About U.S. Green Building Council California
USGBC California is a 501(c)3 non-profit and member-based organization whose vision is to transform California through the built environment into a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable place for all. USGBC California, an independent chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, comprises green building communities across the state. We lead by inspiring leaders throughout our communities to take action on climate change, public health, and environmental justice while educating, developing, and empowering a diverse talent pipeline through our training, mentorship, and direct-to-community programs. We connect by merging interdisciplinary perspectives and collaborations to create positive systemic change. We advocate through promoting innovative, impactful policy solutions addressing the most urgent environmental and social challenges of our time. (www.usgbc-ca.org)
About the Los Angeles Department of Power and Water
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is the nation’s largest municipal water and power utility, with 8,081 megawatts (MW) of electric capacity and serving an average of more than 399 million gallons of water per day to Los Angeles’ approximately four million residents, businesses, and visitors. For more than 100 years, LADWP has provided the city with reliable water and power service in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.
