In Feburay 2009 the GVC Energy Program hosted a "Green Bus Tour" from Modesto to Tulare. The bus tour was like a show and tell; exposing participants to a variety of energy related projects and companies in the Great Central Valley. The tour brought out a range of participants, from an organic walnut farmer to an Environmental Defense Fund staffer. The mix of backgrounds and experiences was the perfect recipe for interesting conversations over the two-day journey.

Fiscalini Farms was our first stop of the tour. Located on the Westside of Modesto, the dairy has recently installed an anaerobic digester in order to turn waste product into methane gas which is then used to generate electricity using a diesel engine. Fiscalini can covert manure, cheese whey, and leftover feedstuffs to methane gas using their onsite anaerobic digester. Click here to watch a video interview about the project with John Fiscalini. (**Plays a 15 second advertisement before the interview.)
The group was hosted by Brian Gannon, President of Biogas Energy Inc. Brian's company contracted with Fiscalini Farms to install both the digester and the diesel engine that uses the methane to generate electricity.

Brian talks about the methane powered diesel engine seen in the background.

Frito Lay in Modesto was our next stop. Last April, Frito Lay unveiled it's nearly 4 acre solar collector field. The technology that they choose to install is called concentrated solar. This array is a series of mirrors that reflect sun rays in order to heat water. The heated water is then used to create steam which heats the oil in the Frito Lay plant to make their products.

Frito Lay concentrated solar array in Modesto. This picture was taken during the ribbon cutting ceremony last April. No, Governor Schwarzenegger didn't make the tour, maybe next time.

Sun Chips are made at the Modesto plant, which provided a unique marketing prospect for Frito Lay. Many thanks to Jan Roberts at Frito Lay for allowing us the opportunity to view the array. Jan stated that the marketing push boosted Sun Chip sales for some time after the array was unveiled.

Right around the corner from Frito Lay, we found our next stop. Pacific Southwest Containers plant in Modesto is capable of every step in the packaging process. They do it all, from manufacturing packaging materials, design engineering, printing, and they even mix their own paint.

Packaging is very resource intensive. So, in order to do the right thing economically, socially, and environmentally, PSC has incorporated many sustainable practices into their business. PSC is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council,  a non-profit focused on well-managed and sustainable forestry. PSC responsibly replants forest resources that they harvest for production. They also recycle extensively.

Darin Jones, Executive VP of Operations for PSC, showed us around the plant. He explained that PSC works with their customers to redesign their packaging so that they use the least amount of resources possible. Their impressive lineup of environmentally conscious corporations speaks for itself. Cliff Bar and Apple are two examples. PSC also works to reduce the amount of paint used in printing while also working to reduce the level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in their paints. VOC's have negative impacts on both the environment and human health, so they're doing good for the earth and their employees health.

PSC's paint supply. They only make what they need, which helps to reduce waste. Mixing on site also reduces the operations overall greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding deliveries or shipments from suppliers. 

Special thanks to Darin and Blake Steward, Sr. VP of Human Resources for their hospitality and enthusiasm! Who knew packaging could be so much fun?

UC Merced, home for the Bobcats, was the final stop of the first day. It seemed like the sun came out for us that day, just in time to view the beautiful LEED certified buildings on campus. As the first research institution of the 21st century and the first UC constructed in over 50 years, UCM has made a serious commitment to sustainability. It all starts with the built environment, where the University is striving to achieve LEED silver certification on each new structure. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a rating system that was created by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).The rating system designates point values for specific design aspects related to energy and the environment. LEED certification has many tiers, the more points you get, the higher certification you are able to achieve. So far, UCM has been successful in achieving their LEED certification goals, even exceeding the certification goal on some buildings by achieving LEED gold.

Bus tour participants admire the "LEED Gold" certified Leo and Dottie Kolligian Library at UC Merced

One of many LEED plaques found around the UCM campus.

John Elliot, Senior Engineer with facilities management hosted the group on our tour. He also showed us around UCM's central plant, which houses both heating and cooling equipment for the University. Central Plant is also a LEED Gold building and has also received honors for its impressive architecture.

John Elliot shows us the energy management system for central plant which controls heating and cooling for the entire campus.

What a day! Details and pictures from day two coming next..... stay tuned!