GREEN BUSINESS AWARDS.
| Author | Bicknell, Lindsay |
| Position | Cover story |
Salt Lake City hasn't always had the best air quality--but these companies are doing something about it. Join us in celebrating the companies and individuals who are leading us toward a more sustainable future.
BLUE SKY PROGRAM
Stacey Davis, renewable energy program manager for Rocky Mountain Power, would like to congratulate this year's Blue Sky honorees.
JANS MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS
The 2020 Community Blue Sky Legacy honor was awarded to JANS Mountain Outfitters for their environmental impact made by participating in the Blue Sky program as well as all of the sustainability measures they have taken to improve their community. Not only do they support renewable energy, but they also have a recycling program, donate a portion of bike rental and tour fees to Summit Land Conservancy, and incentivize car-pooling and bike riding to work. "We encourage all businesses and individuals to step up their efforts to embrace and support renewable energy. Whether or not you are an outdoor recreation enthusiast, it is important to recognize that renewable energy benefits us all," says Jack Walzer, general manager. On behalf of more than 50,000 Blue Sky customers in Utah, we are proud to call JANS Mountain Outfitters a Legacy Visionary Partner.
STAKER PARSON COMPANIES
Staker Parson realized that their work is a stewardship of the area and wanted to promote clean energy options. Blue Sky is a vehicle for change that they can support which is one of the reasons they became a Visionary partner in 2005. "We cannot wait to embrace the new opportunities of a sustainable future," says Tom Thorpe, energy manager. "Our world is changing, and we can be agents of change ushering in a bright future."
Staker Parson Companies use recycled and re-refined lubricant oils for all of their trucks as well as partnering with Rocky Mountain Power's Wattsmart program to upgrade their LED lighting. Thank you, Staker Parson Companies, for being an early adopter, your loyal partnership, and for setting the example in your industry.
UINTA BREWING CO
Since 2001, Uinta Brewing Co. has been a Blue Sky Visionary partner and renewable energy advocate. Jeremy Worrell, director of marketing, states: "The ultimate goal is to be an advocate for more businesses to jump on the renewable energy train which will ultimately create a better local environment. We always work with the future in mind and challenge local community members to do the same." Uinta is the second craft brewery in the nation to use 100 percent renewable electricity. They installed solar panels in 2011 that generate up to 30 kW of electrical power for production. They have also installed an electric car charging station, LED lighting, and have constructed a state of the art efficient brewhouse. Uinta donates their spent grain to local ranchers and have also developed a relationship with Wasatch Resource Recovery to collect unused food, expired beer, and brewing byproducts.
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE
Westminster College is the first college to ever receive a Blue Sky Legacy award. Their support started out with a group of students learning about renewable energy credits as part of their economics coursework. Understanding the ecological importance of renewables, they were excited about supporting the development of renewable energy in the West. Before long, what began as a class project became a proposal for the college administration and ultimately led to the institution's Blue Sky Partnership. "This award means a lot to Westminster College because the discourse, locally and globally, around climate change has shifted a lot in the years since Westminster first joined the Blue Sky program," says Bridger Layton, environmental center manager, "It feels great to know that the institution was a leader in the community, and began the work early to build a sustainable energy future." Blue Sky extends our gratitude to Westminster College for pioneering the path for others to follow.
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
UTAH ARTS ALLIANCE
How has your organization made an impact in Utah's green space? Through our upcycled art and shared resources program we have saved hundreds of thousands of pounds of materials from the landfill and have used those materials to create artwork for the community. We have eliminated single-use water bottles from our festivals and events, keeping tens of thousands of plastic water bottles from the...
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