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KERN BUSINESS JOURNAL
Bakersfield company launches ‘green’ products MTS Stimulation Services and MTS Environmental Solutions have announced a new, effective line of environmentallyand people-friendly synthetic products that replace traditional acids and caustics. MTS Stimulation Services Inc., which has been in business for 30 years, provides a variety of oil field services for production, disposal and injection wells; well maintenance; and hydrogen sulfide removal. “To be on the cutting edge of technology and being able to offer these ‘green’ alternatives is truly exciting,” said Monda Byrd, company vice-president. “Both oil and agriculture use virtually the same chemicals and operate on each others’ lands. So this is a great opportunity to serve them both.” These new products are not only effective, but are biodegradable, carry triple zero WHMIS scores, and are not regulated by any agency. Most of them carry the EPA’s “Designed for the Environment” approval. “Given the choice between a viable, cost-effective safe product and harsh chemicals, it is an easy choice for any operator to make,” said MTS Safety Manager Doug Patrick. --MTS Stimulation Services
Februar y/March 2014
Navy base eyes $500,000 savings in water conservation By Peggy Shoaf
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ontinuing efforts to reduce water consumption and save money at the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake have moved into the next phase of the basewide Turf Reduction Project. The goal is to further eliminate about a quarter of the grass at 28 base locations. Twenty-three sites will receive a combination of organic and inorganic xeriscape to replace the turf, much like what is being used at the Headquarters Building parade grounds. Irrigation updates, combined with the use of desert friendly landscaping, will result in a 30 percent reduction, or 175 million gallons of water per year. Previous efforts have cut 230 million gallons of water usage from the 2007 baseline of 800 million gallons. In 2012, the Naval Weapons Station earned a federal Green Challenge Achievement Award in recognition of efforts to reduce its environmental footprint by going above and beyond Executive Order 13514 requirements, or Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance. Because water conservation is the lifeblood of community living in the desert, its importance makes it essential to devise ways to conserve. The earlier redesign of the Headquarters Building’s parade ground, which consumed 20.3 million gallons of water a year, resulted in an estimated annual consumption of only about 2.8
million gallons. The parade grounds reportedly had the worst irrigation system on base. “Actual returns from the new landscaping at the Headquarters Building are difficult to measure, because it previously did not have an individual meter,” explained Naval Facilities Construction Manager Lt. (j.g.) Benjamin Bernhardt. Three of the 28 locations — Davidove Park, the soccer field at the corner of Monterey Street and Knox Avenue; Reardon Athletic Field; and a large unused grass area along Nimitz Avenue, north of the Branch Health Clinic — will be left unwatered and unsown. By shutting water down at these sites, nearly $100,000 savings per year in maintenance costs alone will be seen. Other lawn sites earmarked for the project include: Lauritsen Lab, Michelson Lab, the traffic circle and a strip of grass on Lexington Avenue, in front of the Bachelor’s and Officer’s Quarters. Reardon Field will continue to be watered through the upcoming softball season. While watering grass that is regularly used is not considered “wasting water,” xeriscape is being designed to create a beautiful atmosphere consistent with the desert environment. Solar Park will receive a minimal amount of xeriscape only on its borders. Irrigation line replacement and herbicide is being applied to the turf reduction areas.
Peggy Shoaf is the public affairs officer for the Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake.