2005 Pollution Prevention Award Winners

The year 2005 theme for Pollution Prevention Week (P2 for short) was “Capture the Spirit”. The APCD recognized six local businesses that are taking steps to prevent impacts on the SLO County environment by reducing air pollution before it is generated.

The companies recognized by the APCD Board each made extraordinary efforts to preserve our natural resources and protect the air we breathe. In addition to Board recognition, all six companies set-up displays in the SLO County Government Center to showcase their pollution prevention efforts.

And the winners are...

Semmes Builders & Co.: Semmes’ remarkable environmental leadership and progressive efforts provide long lasting benefits for the consumer, community and environment. Their sustainable green building practices significantly minimizes and eliminates pollution at the source. One innovative practice is the use of a solar powered generator to power construction equipment while building homes.

California State Parks Hearst Castle®: During a time of finite fuel sources, increasing costs and a dependency on foreign oil companies, Hearst Castle® promotes and utilizes innovative and cleaner alternative energy sources to power their facility. Visitors are shuttled up to the “castle” in a bus fueled by natural gas, while backup generators for the castle operate on biodiesel.

Palm Theatre: Palm Theatre is the first cinema in the United States to use renewable energy through the installation of photovoltaic systems. This clean technology reduces emissions that contribute to the formation of smog and global warming, while raising the awareness of the availability and benefits of photovoltaic technologies.

Huasna Valley Farms: Growing crops organically and sustainable agricultural practices prove to be a company philosophy. By using a strong pollution prevention ethic, Huasna Valley Farms reduces potential Volatile Organic Compound emissions by eliminating pesticides and herbicides and inspires others to do the same through educational programs for schools and farm tours.

Renewable Energy Concepts:  REC gives back to communities through the voluntary implementation of the Sustainable Community Program, while providing long lasting environmental benefits with the installation of renewable energy sources. Through REC’s daily operations, both environmental and community sustainability are achieved.

Department of City and Regional Planning, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: The CRP Department is dedicated to practicing and teaching the sustainable urban planning strategies referred to as Smart Growth. Smart Growth principles reduce air pollution by decreasing automobile dependence and increasing public transit, biking, walking and other alternatives, ultimately improving quality of life for all.

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