Western United Environmental Services welcome Ruben Almada

Western United Environmental Services (WUES) welcome a new environmental technician, Ruben Almada. Ruben will cover South Merced County, Madera County, and Fresno County. Ruben is a 2006 graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science, with a minor in Agriculture Business. A resident of Hilmar, he is a graduate of Hilmar High School and Modesto Junior College. His dairy background includes working for Stevinson Corporation, Cal Poly Foundation Dairy and Cargill Animal Nutrition. “I look forward to helping my clients with all their environmental needs. Growing up and working on a dairy has helped me understand the needs of dairymen. It is these life experiences combined with my education in Dairy Science that will help me to work efficiently and foresee environmental solutions,” says Almada. WUES manager Heather Kenney welcomed Ruben to the team. “We are very excited about having Ruben with us, as he has hit the ground running,” she said. “Ruben having established rapport with many of Western United Dairymen’s clients has made this transition seamless, plus being fluent in Portuguese will allow him to work with our diverse clientele.” 

West-side water allotments set 

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced today that west-side Valley farmers will get up to 30% of their contracted water allotments if California has average rain and snowfall, but as little as 5% if dry weather sets in. He said federal officials also will attempt to boost water supplies by another 10% by obtaining water from other sources, such as Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and excess flow from the San Joaquin River restoration. <more> Feb 26, 2010 Fresno Bee

WUD offers informational sessions on diesel truck rules 

Western United Dairymen is offering informational meetings for members who want to learn more about the diesel truck rule being implemented by the state Air Resources Board.  

A workshop is set for Wednesday, March 3 at 1 p.m.  at the Mountain View Grange Hall, 9737 Crows Landing Road, Crows Landing. .Paul Sousa, WUD’s environmental specialist, will discuss the rule. All area dairy producers are invited.  

Diesel Truck Rule informational meeting Friday, March 5 at 10 a.m., Two Rock Fire Hall, 7618 Valley Ford Road Two Rock-Petaluma 

Another informational session will be held at WUD’s annual convention on Wednesday, March 10, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. "Diesel Truck Rule - How to Comply"   by Kathleen Mead, Manager, California Air Resources Board will be held in the Arbor Theatre.

Water bond needed to protect water, environment, economy

There is universal consensus among scientists, academics and water experts that California’s water system is at risk of catastrophic failure unless we take action now to reverse decades of neglect. Designed 30 years ago to serve 16 million residents, our water system must now serve more than 38 million. The Delta – responsible for water deliveries to 25 million Californians and millions of acres of farmland – is on the brink of environmental and physical collapse, jeopardizing water for the majority of the state and the largest ecosystem for wildlife on the West Coast. Drought over the last three years, inadequate infrastructure and our changing climate mean that the state will face continued water shortages even if rains return to average levels.  And the physical infrastructure – Delta levees, pipes, under and above ground storage, aqueducts and water ways – that stores and delivers our water is aging and not capable of meeting the demands of today’s population, economy or environment. <more> Feb. 25, 2010 Capitol Press

Wal-Mart puts onus on suppliers to cut greenhouse gases 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is putting the onus on its suppliers as part of a goal to cut 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the retailer’s global supply chain over the next five years. The world’s biggest retailer is partnering with the Environmental Defense Fund to work with Wal-Mart suppliers on identifying ways to reduce pollution and energy costs, according to a joint statement today. Wal-Mart’s global supply chain carbon footprint is “many times” larger than its operational footprint and “represents a more impactful opportunity to reduce emissions,” the Bentonville, Ark.-based company said in the statement. “We know that we have an opportunity to do more and the capacity to do more,” Wal-Mart chief executive officer Mike Duke said in the statement. The 20 million metric ton reduction target would be the equivalent of taking 3.8 million cars off the road for a year, Wal-Mart said. Meat processors and fresh fruit and vegetable growers are among hundreds of Wal-Mart suppliers, and what steps they may take as part of the new effort isn’t yet clear. Wal-Mart has already been buying more fresh produce from local growers in recent years, lowering transportation costs. Such direct-from-farm purchasing “not only reduces energy use and emissions, but also delivers a superior product to the consumer,” Matt Kistler, Wal-Mart’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability, said during a media conference call today. “It’s fresher and we experience less waste in our stores.” Emission-reducing efforts will focus on product categories “with the highest embedded carbon,” today’s statement said, without listing any specific categories. Wal-Mart wants suppliers to curb emissions from raw materials sourcing, manufacturing, transportation, customer use or “end-of-life” disposal.<more> Feb. 25, 2010 Dairyherd.com

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

February 2010

To receive more information on WUES, please contact your WUES Environmental Technician or WUES Office:

Phone (209) 238-3818

Fax (209) 238-3808

Email: info@wuenvironmental.com

www.wuenvironmental.com