VALLEY COMPANIES TAKE
ON EMISSIONS

San Jose Mercury News
March 30, 2004

GOVERNMENT, BUSINESSES JOIN TO CUT GREENHOUSE GASES
MERCURY NEWS EDITORIAL

You might be surprised at who thinks it's important to cut global-warming carbon dioxide emissions from Silicon Valley.

Pacific Gas & Electric and Calpine, big energy companies, Lockheed and Hewlett-Packard, major manufacturers.

And not just them. Ten organizations have signed up for the Sustainable Silicon Valley Initiative. Oracle, ALZA and LifeScan join the other businesses; from government, the city of San Jose, NASA Ames and the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

By 2010, says this group, carbon dioxide emissions from Santa Clara County should be 20 percent lower than they were in 1990. They can be, if we find ways to use less energy or utilize alternative sources. Carbon dioxide is produced when oil-based fuels and natural gas are burned.

These organizations are responsible for only a small part of the county's emissions ; half come from vehicles. And they haven't committed themselves to a 20 percent reduction in their own emissions .

But they have promised to explore, implement and publicize energy-saving techniques. Just by signing up, they affirm the need to address global warming, and refute the contention that companies have to choose between doing the right thing environmentally and the smart thing economically.

The initiative was organized by the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Silicon Valley Environmental Partnership.

Another encouraging partnership will be reporting significant progress thismorning in Sacramento. Federal Express and Environmental Defense, along with engine-maker Eaton Corp., have been developing delivery trucks that use half as much fuel and emit a quarter as much pollution. The diesel-electric hybrid trucks will be used initially in Sacramento.

In both endeavors, the key is the progress-oriented relationship between business and environmentalists. Instead of environmentalists petitioning government to crack down on businesses, prompting business to dig in its heels, all three are working together to reduce pollution -- profitably.

Copyright (c) 2004 San Jose Mercury News