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Energy expo enlightens organizations
Participants learn about lessening costs and air pollution with recyclable alternatives, methods
By SARAH RUBY, Californian staff writer
The Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens handed out pencils made from discarded denim. Indoor Shade, a window-tinting company in Shafter, pledged to keep 80 percent of the summer heat at bay.
They were among some 50 companies, utilities and other organizations at the Energy & Clean Air Business Exposition Thursday.
"Everything is recyclable," said Anne Schoolcraft of the Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens.
The denim pencils were a nod to the organization's various recycling programs. Its employees handle old televisions, computers and other electronic waste with salvageable yet toxic components. They even help soft drink companies to turn old sodas into fertilizer.
Energy utilities taught business owners about rebates for upgrading outdated, inefficient equipment. Entrepreneurs heard from other companies, such as Harris Ranch and Tejon Ranch, about the benefits of clean-air values in business.
They learned tinted windows can save money. So can energy-efficient light fixtures, home insulation, hybrid cars, regular automobile tuneups, solar panels and pale shades of roof tile.
In other words, what's good for the air is good for business.
"If we don't do it now, it's just going to make it worse for (the next generation)," said Willis Brown, who was showing off energy-efficient copiers for American Business Machines of Bakersfield.
Civilians were on hand as well.
"I'm here out of guilt," said Deborah Iger, who toured the tables to get some ideas. "We always talk about the fact we want cleaner air, we want cleaner water, (but) I don't always know how to go about doing it."
The event was at the Holiday Inn Select's conference center and organized by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, Valley CAN (Clean Air Now), Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Co. and Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
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