U.S. EPA honors environmental efforts at Mojave National Preserve

Date: April 18, 2008

(Barstow, California) –During the agency’s 10^th annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco on Monday, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri presented a plaque to Mojave National Preserve and four other organizations and individuals throughout Southern California in recognition of their efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 2007.

Mojave National Preserve reduced its impact on the environment by installing solar power systems to replace diesel-powered electric generators and storage tanks at some of its remote facilities. Situated in the heart of the Mojave Desert with 320 days of sunshine per year, the preserve is an ideal location for solar power. Many of its facilities and quarters are located far from commercial power grids, which required the use of diesel powered electrical generators. With the switch to solar, Mojave National Preserve greatly reduced its dependence on petroleum and its carbon footprint. It also significantly decreased the impacts and hazards associated with fuel deliveries and storage, including emissions from trucks, spills during transport, spills while filling the tanks and leaks to the environment from fuel tanks. Mojave is working in partnership with Cal State Fullerton to double the size of its off-grid system, furthering its environmental contribution.

“Like many other National Parks, we at Mojave are evaluating our operations to find more ways to reduce our carbon footprint” said GIS Specialist David Moore, who accepted the award on behalf of Mojave National Preserve. “Converting from generators to solar at our remote work sites reduces emissions and noise, and is a cost-effective method for powering our facilities.”