Houweling’s Tomatoes Wins 2014 Cool Planet Award

[caption id="attachment_33381" align="alignright" width="281"] Rishi Moorjani and Richard Vanderburg accept the 2014 Cool Planet Award on behalf of Houweling’s Tomatoes.[/caption] Houweling’s Tomatoes received a 2014 Cool Planet Award (Agriculture Sector) in recognition of the company’s efforts in sustainability, relating to energy conservation and efficiency. The Cool Planet Award recognizes Southern California Edison business customers for demonstrating exemplary leadership in energy and carbon management. The Cool Planet Award Ceremony celebrates the outstanding commitment of these SCE business customers to implement energy efficiency projects, participate in demand response programs and establish environmental and greenhouse gas emissions management systems. “Houweling’s commitment to sustainability is rooted in the values established by Casey Houweling our CEO. As a company, we believe sustainability must integrate environmental stewardship, with practical, commercially viable solutions that enhance our ability to grow and harvest fresh, flavorful, nutritious tomatoes,” says David Bell, CMO. The nominations were evaluated using a point-based system focusing on an organization’s participation in a variety of SCE integrated demand side management strategies, including energy management & demand response programs and conducting energy audits, as well as a focus on an organization’s carbon management strategies, energy management & climate action plans and the measuring & reporting of an organization’s greenhouse gas emissions/carbon footprint. Highlights from Houweling’s nomination include a 6.6 million kWh energy efficiency savings since 2010 and the company’s 13.2 MW heat-and-power cogeneration installation in Camarillo, Calif. The first of its kind in the United States, the cogeneration technology allows the business to generate power on-site, supply excess electricity to the grid, while capturing traditionally wasted heat and CO2 which are used for growing tomatoes within the greenhouse. When asked about the prestigious recognition, Casey Houweling says, “I’m proud of our team and what this award represents. Taking a leadership position in sustainability is not without risks, headaches and challenges, but I believe it is the right thing to do. As business leaders we need to continue to push forward, innovate and invest in projects that allow us to do more with fewer resources.” David Rosenheim, executive director of the Climate Registry spoke at the awards presentation: “While the nations of the world grapple with the challenges of global climate change, Cool Planet Award winners are taking meaningful action every day as they strive to make their organizations more energy efficient, cost effective and competitive,” he said. In addition to the 2014 Cool Planet Award, Houweling’s received further honors the following week as a recipient of the California Energy Solutions Center (ESC) Partnership Award for Innovative Energy Solutions during the ESC Technology and Market Assessment Forum.