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Businesses receive awards for efforts to cut air pollution
The Bakersfield Californian (Published Wednesday April 16, 2003, 11:41:56 PM)
Three Bakersfield businesses recently received awards for their efforts to reduce air pollution.
The awards were presented by Valley Clean Air Now, a new San Joaquin Valley nonprofit group that aims to reduce smog by encouraging voluntary efforts. The 19 awards announced this week are the first to be presented under the group's Business Recognition Program.
ChevronTexaco received an award for committing to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution from its operations by 45 percent, compared to current emissions, by the year 2008. The San Joaquin Valley is out of compliance with federal standards for nitrogen oxide pollution, a key smog-forming gas.
Today Cleaners of Bakersfield also won an award for voluntarily switching to a new dry-cleaning solution. The new silicone-based solution is not a volatile organic compound, so it does not contribute to the valley's smog, unlike perchloroethylene. Today Cleaners has switched four of its stores to the new solution and plans to convert the remaining seven by the end of the year.
Braun Electric Co. of Bakersfield received a Business Recognition Award for starting a van pool service for employees. The electrical engineering contractor provides four shuttle vans, available to its 200 employees, between Bakersfield and Taft, Bakersfield and Belridge, and Taft and Belridge.
Award winners receive window stickers for their businesses, recognition in media ads placed by Clean Air Now, and a resolution from the group's board of directors honoring their efforts.
Clean Air Now was launched in November with a $2 million grant from ChevronTexaco. Its board consists of representatives from major businesses in the valley. For the complete list of award winners, visit the Clean Air Now Web site at www.valley-can.org or call 800-806-2004.
-- Information from Valley Clean Air Now, compiled by The Californian
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