Installing 3,000 solar panels at Graniterock’s A. R. Wilson Quarry did more than roll back the meter last year. Graniterock was recognized as a clean air champion by the Monterey Bay Air Resources District in California due in part to the company’s use of solar as an alternative energy source.
The Monterey Bay Air Resources District believes it is important to recognize individuals, organizations and companies who demonstrate leadership by their actions, in ensuring good air quality. By recognizing these leaders it hopes to inspire more people and organizations to make a positive impact on air quality, and even more initiatives to be undertaken.
Graniterock received the district’s Clean Air Leader Award for demonstrating leadership and taking action to ensure good air quality in the state’s Monterey Bay region.
This is in conjunction with working with the district to upgrade the quarry’s off-road fleet to the best available technology.
Graniterock received two grants to help fund a new $500,000, Caterpillar 992K loader and a Caterpillar 777, 100-ton haul truck.
The grant process was a collaborative effort over many years with the air district contributing grant money and the quarry maintaining the heavy equipment to meet the requirements for three years and deliver cleaner air.
“The quarry team has worked diligently to improve reporting and visibility for the district to stay in compliance,” the company stated. “Good communication as well as quick and accurate reporting of all of our required metrics delivered by the company’s highly effective Environmental team have been key to this effort.”
“We all share the air. This is a great way for us to be good environmental stewards in our community,” Quarry Manager Peter Lemon said. “Even better that we were recognized for those efforts.”
The solar panels were a major undertaking that involved four years of planning and preparation by the company’s Quarry and Environmental teams before the switch was flipped in September.
The panels sit on an eight-acre parcel near the quarry entrance, generating an estimated 2 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. Graniterock’s investment is expected to pay for itself in electricity savings in approximately four years.
In addition to the solar project, the air district noted the quarry’s operational dust control practices as a factor for the award.