The Last Word - March 2009

How is your company contributing to the green movement?

Bill Noonan, Senior VP of Administration, Boyd Gaming Corp., Las Vegas

One of our most innovative energy-saving efforts is our central laundry facility, which serves our nine Las Vegas Valley properties. By using special detergents and heat-recycling systems, we’ve cut our electricity consumption by 27%, our natural gas by 50%, and reduced water consumption by 22 million gallons a year.

Scott Albrecht, Owner, Preferred EcoSystems, Sparks

After installing an Energy Management System for our small residential offices, we were able to recycle wasted energy from inefficient motor loads. In the first 7 months alone, we’ve reduced our kW usage in the ranges of 8% to 41% versus the same months in 2007 – saving well over $500.

Vic A. Sibilla, Principal, FEA, Las Vegas

As little as ten years ago, capitalizing energy efficient equipment was not cost effective. Today, we can use the advancements in alternative energy to provide more energy efficient engineered systems which reduce energy consumption and are more responsible for the environment.

Gary Siroky, President, ORE Construction, Statewide

We are pursuing LEED Gold certification for our new office headquarters. Our photovoltaic power system produces over 15 percent of our energy consumption and saves us in overall building operations costs. Morale has increased because our employees take pride in working for a company that encourages and embraces a sustainable future.

Tom Walbom, Env. Ops Manager, Granite Construction Inc., Reno

It is very clear that business must adapt to change regarding energy and how we manage and use these resources. Change is happening right now. We are currently exploring adding solar and wind energy applications at an operations level. Hybrid vehicles are becoming common in our fleet. It’s good for business and it’s the right thing to do.

Rob Dorinson, President, Evergreen Recycling, Las Vegas

In the future, our goal at Evergreen Recycling is zero waste; such that our strategic planning department has placed Waste to Energy facilities firmly on its agenda. Re-purposing waste for electricity, heat and gas generation instead of a landfill destination is in perfect alignment with our corporate mission of sustainable business practices.