MEET THIS YEAR'S GREEN BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS.

• Author: Malan, Mekenna

In partnership with Rocky Mountain Power, we are proud to honor the Utah companies and individuals making strides toward our state's environmental sustainability. Congratulations to the 2022 Green Business honorees!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER BLUE SKY LEGACY AWARDS

VAREX IMAGING

* VAREXIMAGING.COM

Varex Imaging is recognized for maintaining a 13-year Visionary Partnership with the Blue Sky Program. As the largest independent provider of x-ray technology in the world, the Salt Lake City-based company supports and promotes the adoption of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and sustainable business practices. As Varex's Sustainability Manager Jordan Larson says, the message is simple: "Renewable energy is for everyone." Varex Imaging's annual participation in Blue Sky has the equivalent environmental impact of removing more than 400 gas-powered vehicles from the highways. Varex manages a significant recycling program, encourages employees to utilize alternative modes of transportation that minimize single-passenger vehicles, and even provides free, on-site electric vehicle charging options. The Varex Salt Lake campus also has an employee garden with about 35 active participants and hosts employee sustainability fairs.

WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY

* WEBER.EDU

Since 2007, Weber State University (WSU) has been working toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050--and they are a decade ahead of schedule. To date, WSU has cut its electricity consumption by 37 percent, natural gas consumption by 48 percent, and reduced its total greenhouse gas emissions footprint by 63 percent. The Blue Sky Program has been part of its mission from the beginning. A Blue Sky Legacy Award aims to recognize organizations and citizens that promote, educate, and set an example for the communities they serve. WSU is influencing the leaders of our future, and their accomplishments are valued by more than 29,000 local and international students and 2,800 employees as they pave a path for others to follow. Their message and actions play a critical role in how we view and respond to climate crises ahead. Blue Sky participants are proud to call WSU a Legacy Partner.

THE FRONT CLIMBING CLUB

* THEFRONTCLIMBINGCLUB.COM

This year's small business Legacy Award goes to The Front Climbing Club with locations in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and South Salt Lake. The Front is more than a climbing gym, fitness center, or cafe--it's a gathering place for enthusiasts with interests focused on community sustainability and a hub for glass and battery recycling, promoting electric vehicles and emission-free transportation. The Front has been a Blue Sky Visionary Partner since 2007. Between its Blue Sky participation and on-site solar generation, The Front can claim that 100 percent of its electricity usage is derived from renewable energy sources at the Salt Lake City location. The company partners with several nonprofit agencies that work toward positively impacting our communities and matching member donations. "Our motto is, 'Come as you are. Well send you home stronger,"' says Dustin Buckthal, the owner of The Front. "We truly focus on creating beautiful, environmentally-friendly spaces where individuals of all backgrounds can come together to recreate and simply connect and enjoy one another."

SALT LAKE COUNTY

* SLCO.ORG

"As the mayor of Salt Lake County, I need to keep a balanced budget while addressing residents' expectations of protecting the environment," says Mayor Jenny Wilson. "The Blue Sky program allows our Salt Lake County operations to be more sustainable. I see the program as a win for the county, taxpayers, and the environment all at the same time." More than 30,000 Blue Sky participants reside in Salt Lake County, making it the highest Blue Sky supporter region in Rocky Mountain Power's territory. "This type of participation and adoption only happens when you have top leadership and community support," says Stacey Davis, Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky program manager. Since 2019, the Salt Lake County Office of Environmental Services has worked on sustainability projects and tackled environmental issues that challenge the Wasatch Front. The county has expanded the Green & Healthy Homes program, reduced its water use by over 30 million gallons a year, and launched innovative projects like the e-bus air monitoring system. The county's fleet of passenger vehicles is almost entirely made up of hybrid or electric vehicles, and the county owns and operates 60 electric vehicle charging stations. Salt Lake County has received a Blue Sky grant this year to install a solar array and battery storage for one of its facilities.

BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

* BD.COM

This year, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) is celebrating 125 years of advancing the world of health. As a global organization, BD is committed to using its scale and influence to address climate change from many different angles. For more than two decades, BD has been committed to actively managing environmental, social, and governance issues around the globe to generate the positive change needed to realize healthy, resilient communities. Here in Utah, one of those includes participation in the Blue Sky program, matching more than 218 million kilowatt-hours of electric use with renewable energy over 15 years. In the last year, BD joined the Race to Zero, committing to scope three greenhouse gas reduction targets to reach science-based net zero emissions by...