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Chino-based Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) has distinguished itself with recent recognitions from the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) during the more than 60-year-old trade association’s annual conference. IEUA was recognized with two “excellence” awards: the “Excellence in Innovations and Resiliency” for the IEUA and Inland Empire Regional Composting Authority (IERCA) Battery and Solar Project and the “Organizational Excellence” for IEUA’s Operations and Maintenance Intern/Volunteer Trades Program.
The IEUA and IERCA Battery and Solar Project is a battery storage system that is integrated with on-site solar and wind generation technologies to optimize renewable power and reduce facility energy demand and costs. The system earned CASA’s “Excellence in Innovations and Resiliency” award which recognizes efforts in the innovative application of technology or the development of new technology to the wastewater field (collection, treatment, wastewater and biosolids recycling, and renewable energy production).
“This technology is considered highly innovative and increases overall reliance,” stated IEUA Vice President and CASA Board Secretary/Treasurer Jasmin A. Hall. “By utilizing mostly on-site renewable energy sources to charge the battery storage system and discharge the energy during peak times, IEUA is optimizing the use of renewable power and reducing demand in imported energy, making IEUA less dependent on the utility provider.”
CASA’s award for “Organizational Excellence” recognizes excellence in managing an agency’s division, unit, or process. The award focuses on an agency’s leadership/management practices, change management, strategies that promote organizational sustainability, organizational development, staffing resource utilization, labor relations, employee mentoring and development programs, or related subjects. IEUA’s Operations and Maintenance Intern/Volunteer Trades Program offers trade school and college students the opportunity to explore a wide range of career paths within its Operations and Maintenance Department.
“IEUA is a leader in innovation and continues to develop projects and programs that plan for the future, said Hall. “IEUA’s Trades Program provides opportunities for students to enhance their classroom learning by obtaining practical real-world work experience. The program supplements academic curriculum and enhances future career development. This program also offers the educational benefit of meeting experience requirements for industry certifications. It is an honor to be recognized.”
The CASA three-day Annual Meeting was recently held in San Diego and was attended by more than 300 delegates. Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board was the meeting’s closing speaker.
