MRWPCA Honored with 2011 Clean Air Award

On June 30, 2011, Breathe California Central Coast recognized two Central Coast organizations and one individual with 2011 Annual Clean Air Awards. MRWPCA was presented the award in the Climate Change category:

"The agency has made environmental stewardship a very high priority, recycling valuable resources such as water, power, and biosolids and preventing harmful emissions and discharges whenever possible.  They voluntarily utilize process controls, co-generation and solar power generation in their operations reducing regional power consumption and on-site power generation. The use of co-generation and photovoltaic panels alone has reduced PG&E power purchases by 80-90%. Combined, these provide 9,353,000 KwH/yr. The agency harvests 100% of the methane gas it produces from the anaerobic digestion of biomass. Ninety-five percent of the methane produced is utilized to generate power for onsite use. Excess power is sent to the power grid. In 2010 this prevented the emission of 73,000,000 cubic meters of methane, which is 25 times worse than CO2 as a greenhouse gas, which directly affects global climate change."

MRWPCA Assistant General Manager Brad Hagemann (left) accepted the award and a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Legislature (above) at the ceremony held at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. Approximately 75 civic, non-profit and business leaders attended, including Monterey County Supervisor Jane Parker, chair of the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, who delivered the keynote presentation, “Keeping our Air Clean: Air Quality Management on the CentralCoast."

Janet Brennan was honored in the Leadership category, recognizing her efforts in advancing awareness of air pollution, climate and public health and commitment to finding workable solutions to mitigate its effects. The Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority received the Technology category award, which recognizes the development or use of technologies that reduce air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions.

See also: California Water Environment Association E-Bulletin and Water Environment Federation WEF Highlights