Press Room

New Valley-Based Non-Profit Organization Launched To Advance Solutions for Improved Air Quality

Valley CAN to Fund Demonstration Projects, Promote Valley-wide Commitment

Fresno, CA – Valley CAN, a progressive, action-oriented, non-profit organization committed to improving air quality in communities throughout California’s San Joaquin Valley, will be launched today. The announcement is scheduled to be made at a launch event this morning at 10:00 a.m. from the Riverview Ranch House in North Fresno, and it will be broadcasted statewide live via satellite and Webcast (details below).

The Board President of Valley CAN, Bob Maddux of Gary McDonald Homes, will explain to the gathering of press and Valley officials there how Valley CAN will serve as a leader in educating community members about the need to take personal responsibility for improving air quality.

Valley CAN will focus on a Valley-wide effort that encourages the participation of individuals and community and business leaders who are serious about immediate, actionable and quantifiable solutions to air quality issues.

Maddux said, “Valley CAN is about grassroots leadership, not politics. It is about building a better future, not dwelling on the past. It is about making positive change on a vital issue, not more years of finger-pointing – and as our name implies, we can do it now.” He added, “My own company is actively promoting the elimination of wood burning fireplaces from new home construction – something we already have done in our Copper River Ranch project.“

Among other things, Valley CAN will:

• Promote voluntary actions to reduce air pollution by individuals, government, agriculture, business and industry.
• Seek to initiate and publicize creative new approaches to reduce air pollution.
• Sponsor pilot programs and educational efforts dedicated to providing solutions to help mitigate high emissions sources.

Additionally, Valley CAN will identify, promote and even fund local emission reduction opportunities that can be done voluntarily. Targets for these initiatives will include individual activities, motor vehicles, large and small businesses, as well as industrial, agricultural, and development sources. It will be looking for programs and projects that highlight existing, real-world solutions to a range of pollution problems, from diesel and wood fireplace emissions to dust and poorly-running vehicles. Valley CAN will serve as a catalyst to create new approaches to reducing air pollution and to seek new solutions to specific air quality issues. Valley CAN’s first initiative is to make a $20,000 contribution to the Fresno Business Council’s Air Quality Task Force.

Additionally, Valley CAN will examine a number of technologies and processes that are being used today to identify practical solutions and show Valley citizens that they can make a real difference in their community’s air quality.

“The organization is forming around individuals, not the political or regulatory structure,” said Maddux. “We envision working cooperatively with groups like the Valley Air District and the new Air Quality Task Force, but as a independent non-profit, we have greater agility and can act quickly when opportunities arise.”

The Board presently includes eight business and community leaders and ultimately will include members from throughout all regions of the San Joaquin Valley to represent the region's diverse interests. Besides Maddux, Valley CAN President, the initial Board of Valley CAN includes:

• Gus Freshwater, Valley CAN Vice President, general manager, Elk Corporation
• Fred Ruiz, Valley CAN Secretary/Treasurer, chairman and co-founder, Ruiz Foods
• Octavia Diener, president/owner, Densmore Engines
• John Harris, president, Harris Ranch
• Joe Drew, vice president, Tejon Ranch
• K.C. Bishop, senior consultant, ChevronTexaco
• Rick Schellenberg, owner/operator, Schellenberg Farms

The emergence of an organization like Valley CAN is particularly important because improving air quality is a great priority for Valley residents.

"Recent public opinion research shows that most people rate air quality among their top two or three concerns," Maddux said. "We have to quit pointing fingers and begin to do something now to improve air quality. If the Valley doesn't step up and begin to pull together now, we will never see clean air in our lifetime." CAN is seeking ideas and input from throughout the valley and plans to release information about projects and activities as they occur. The organization has set up a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-806-2004, and a Web site, www.valley-can.com

Webcast:

If you have any questions, contact Tom Knox at (916) 325-2908.