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Polluted air, scarce water, dumping, sprawl. In The Dirt, The Californian examines the numerous environmental problems facing Bakersfield and Kern County.

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TheDirt - > The Dirt -> How are local businesses going green?
How are local businesses going green?

The following will be running in The Californian over the next few days. If you know any businesses that fit the bill, please contact me. We'd really like to highlight what environmental initiatives are underway in our local business community.

Thanks for your help!

Has your company gone green?

With Earth Day approaching, The Californian would like to hear from local business and organizations that have invested in ways to reduce pollution, waste or energy and water use.


It doesn’t matter how big or small the change, as long as it has some noticeable impact on the environment.


Has your company installed solar panels or an efficient lighting system? Have you committed to buying recycled products, purchased hybrid vehicles for the company fleet or cut down on product packaging?


If so, please contact environment reporter Stacey Shepard at 395-7272, or sshepard@bakersfield.com. Companies and organizations that contact us may be featured in an Earth Day story.

Posted in these Groups:
Topics: environment, business, global warming, energy efficiency
posted by TheDirt on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 05:21 PM
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posted by cnxa5A on Apr 29, 2009 at 06:59 PM

Does anybody know whose the solar cells are at Airport & 204?  I would like to find out how much electricity they can generate with that many cells.

There's a good sized array at Midway Sunset oilfield too.

posted by ALICEN on Apr 10, 2009 at 07:42 AM

Nancy:  I'd love to have a pin like that!  It'd be a keeper. 

And yes, indeedy, we-uns're in gooooooood cumpny!  Cuddn b betr.  Leev thoz nasty ol mans floatn n confuzn.

posted by NancyII on Apr 10, 2009 at 07:34 AM

Good response Alicen.  Years ago my daughter gave me a pin that said "Squint as you approach lest my beauty blind you."  I still have it...love that thing. 

RE: alikeness..............Us'n cunzervateev wimmin gots to stick together since we's gots all these thmarter dimocrats mans trying to learn us better.

Weez in good cumpny>

posted by ALICEN on Apr 10, 2009 at 07:23 AM

Nancy:  As I mentioned before, it's a compliment to be confused as you.  Or witters.  I can assure everyone, however, that either one of you could say what you think by use of about a fifth of the verbiage it takes to state my opinion.

Oh, and I don't want to put a likeness of myself up there because it would knock people's lights out.  They hate when that happens.  Then it takes so much to get them cranked up again. 

 

posted by NancyII on Apr 9, 2009 at 08:37 PM

Yeah, we're a lot alike all right.

 

spam code...  ah oui

posted by dirtyshirt on Apr 9, 2009 at 08:30 PM

Check these out and you will see the confusion.

(I can't explain how AliceN's tree gets in there.)

posted by NancyII on Apr 9, 2009 at 08:20 PM

Nice to know I'm indistinguishable from all conservative women.   

posted by dirtyshirt on Apr 9, 2009 at 08:11 PM

good choice, considering your typical choice of words when you are joking.   ; )

 

it's worse than you think, however. I first credited witters. I don't know why, but your avatar looks like witters to me.

you and alicen are a blur to me.

I apologize and will attempt to concentrate more when I am attacking conservative women.

lol

posted by NancyII on Apr 9, 2009 at 07:38 PM

Ds, once again you've credited me with a post I didn't post.  After your reaction to the last time this happened I won't joke with you about it.

posted by dirtyshirt on Apr 9, 2009 at 07:19 PM

It is a popularly held belief that fluorescent lights use a "lot" of energy to get started, and thus it is better not to turn them off for "short" periods. There is an increase in power demand when a light is switched on, and the exact amount of this increase depends on the type of ballast and lamp. The ballast provides an initial high voltage for starting the lamp and regulates the lamp current during operation. There are three basic types of ballasts: magnetic (of which there are energy-efficient and not so energy-efficient types), cathode-disconnect, and electronic. All types can operate two or more lamps simultaneously. There are three main methods that are used in a lamp's ballast to start the lamp: preheat, rapid-start, and instant-start. 

In any case, the relatively higher "inrush" current required lasts for half a cycle, or 1/120th of a second. The amount of electricity consumed to supply the inrush current is equal to a few seconds or less of normal light operation. Turning off fluorescent lights for more than 5 seconds will save more energy than will be consumed in turning them back on again. Therefore, the real issue is the value of the electricity saved by turning the light off relative to the cost of relamping a fixture. This in turn determines the shortest cost-effective period for turning off a fluorescent light. 

source: U.S. Department of Energy

http://www.daviddarling.inf...

 

posted by dirtyshirt on Apr 9, 2009 at 07:08 PM

lol nancyII about the link.

I"m looking for such a thing myself. You got me going on the off/on thing. They used to say that about turning your car off/on and that turns out to be bunkum, so I suspect the same is true for the lightbulbs.

Checking....

posted by ALICEN on Apr 9, 2009 at 07:04 PM

How about this new one:  now we're being told to turn off lights to save on electricity.  Like that's new.  That was something drummed into me as a child by my parents so that we could save on the electric bill, for heaven's sake, not so we could save the planet or some such silly pursuit. 

With the new light bulbs we all must be using in the not-too-distant future, it will cost more to turn them off and then back on again than to let them burn all day and night long. 

Who's right?  All I know is that I'm stocking up on soon-to-be-old-fashioned light bulbs.  And then I won't have to say "Oops!" when I accidentally turn the light off. 

This is a crazy world. My opinion, to which there is unfortunately no link.

posted by jfrancais on Apr 9, 2009 at 06:08 PM

The current farming practices in the valley are unsustainable.  That's what some really smart people with Ph. Ds told me. 

posted by Shwaine on Apr 9, 2009 at 08:52 AM

JKeyes, go organic. Then you can continue to farm and ream the "greenies" for a boatload of money.

As for solar panels, I'm suprised more places in this area don't have them. Who cares about the environmental aspects. Just think of how much solar panels could offset the electrical costs of running a business for example. Or that you could keep some electrical comforts during a daytime rolling blackout.... Many other reasons to go solar beyond environmentalism.

posted by JKeyes on Apr 9, 2009 at 08:12 AM
How can we in farming think about going green when we are being run out of business by the greenies? The greenies woud rather save a fish then farmng. They would rather see 45% of the hard working people in this valley go unemployed so they can can continue their goal of stopping private business? Environmentalism is destroying our economy. First logging,then farming now fishing.
posted by randomfactor on Apr 8, 2009 at 03:31 PM

The best green movement creates local jobs, reduces greenhouse emissions *AND* saves the purchaser money in the long run.

And there are lots of chances to do just that.

posted by jfrancais on Apr 8, 2009 at 03:28 PM

I'm not sure what it is, but there are many new solar panels powering a water plant or something near Hwy 204 and Airport Drive.  It looks pretty big to me.  You might check that out.

Hooray!!! More energy to use (buy)...

posted by Barneyman on Apr 8, 2009 at 11:59 AM

The best green movement involves cold hard cash left in the hands of those who earn it.

posted by Horatio on Apr 8, 2009 at 11:46 AM

I'm not sure what it is, but there are many new solar panels powering a water plant or something near Hwy 204 and Airport Drive.  It looks pretty big to me.  You might check that out.

posted by VirgilAnderson on Apr 7, 2009 at 08:46 PM

 

And, again, as you've implied in other posts, some are more conscientious about their consuming than are others.

We keep in the direction of thinking carbon footprint, and how big my own is,  then I think we'll get there.

--virgil

posted by jfrancais on Apr 7, 2009 at 08:38 PM

Of course, we're still consumers!

posted by VirgilAnderson on Apr 7, 2009 at 08:23 PM

 

And,

Maybe we'll get some decent environmentally sound(er) cars out of it ... other things too.

--virgil

posted by jfrancais on Apr 7, 2009 at 08:18 PM

The cost (and sacrifice) involved with that invasion should encourage a change in consumption habits, n'est pas?

posted by VirgilAnderson on Apr 7, 2009 at 08:15 PM

 

I believe our invasion of a third world country in the middle east 6 years ago and knocking it into the dark ages is part of  that reluctance to change our consumption habits.

That's a good question. We appear willing to sacrifice the lives of those  engaged in such a conflict of our doing ...

I think,  like it or not,  we will.

--virgil

 

posted by jfrancais on Apr 7, 2009 at 08:14 PM

I used to live down the street from an Amish community in Indiana.  They are an interesting group.  I don't know if I could do it.  I love the internet too much.  Plus I haven't seen too many Black Amish...

spam code: wyldx

posted by drilnliftcrude on Apr 7, 2009 at 08:10 PM

You want truly green?

Visit with the Amish.

posted by jfrancais on Apr 7, 2009 at 08:03 PM

True. It is.  I have no idea what a true Green movement is but Consumerism and a sound environmental ethic seem a bit contradictory to me. But, you're right. We need to change. Are we really willing to make real sacrifices?

posted by VirgilAnderson on Apr 7, 2009 at 07:51 PM

 

"mainstream green  movement is about making money and getting a tax break ..."

Yes it is.

But I'm not sure what truly  green looks like in the form of consumer habits, either.

We must change ... change is most definitely happening.

--virgil

posted by jfrancais on Apr 7, 2009 at 07:44 PM

The mainstream green  movement is about making money and getting a tax break.  Our consumer society wont allow for us to be truly green.

posted by VirgilAnderson on Apr 7, 2009 at 07:42 PM

 

Well,

If the ideal environmental ( and the ideals of the movement ) movement is reflected in mainstream consumer habits - even in small ways -  it's positive movement.

What do you consider to be the real environmental movement? It's a good point.

--virgil

posted by Infowar on Apr 7, 2009 at 07:29 PM

no....the "mainstream" green movement is not the real environmental movement.

 

posted by VirgilAnderson on Apr 7, 2009 at 07:26 PM

 

The green movement is becoming mainstream.

We had to start some place. Now, we just need to keep moving.

Recyclables are good business - ask hobo joe on his bike looking for the plastic, aluminum and glass.

--virgil

posted by jfrancais on Apr 7, 2009 at 07:16 PM

My Father-in-law owned a trash company for 15 years that sold out to a big "waste management company".  It's all a fraud and they are "capitalizing" on consumer's guilt.  The trash you leave in your cute recycle bins goes in the same dumpsite that all other trash does. 

I even had a self professed tree hugging professor while in grad school that had me drinking the "environmental ethic" kool-aid then I saw him drive off in his Land Rover and later found out that he lives in a large posh house in Clovis.  The mainstream movement comes down to making/saving money.  It's not about saving Mother Earth. 

posted by Infowar on Apr 7, 2009 at 07:09 PM

Right on J....I know we don't agree on everything but the mainstream green movement is a fraud.

 

posted by jfrancais on Apr 7, 2009 at 06:57 PM

The green movement is cliche. They don't care about the environment. I'm with info on this one (i think).  It's only trendy because it "saves dollars".

posted by Infowar on Apr 7, 2009 at 06:18 PM

 

Wow....you have now deleted two of my comments. Sad......I am not even saying anything offensive. You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself for not allowing free speech.

 

Here is the last comment I posted thedirt deleted:

I guess you hate free speech too? Thanks for deleting my previous comment.

The green movement is being co-opted by the Globalist. They are using it to push for carbon taxes & modern day eugenics programs.

 

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