This year Rolling Hills Casino and Resort will save enough electricity to power 292 homes. Rolling Hills also put in place a recycling program that reduced 10 tons of garbage from the local landfill. In recognition of these accomplishments, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PGE) recently awarded Rolling Hills Casino and Resort with an Integration Award for its comprehensive resource management programs.

Only five to seven companies get the prestigious PGE award each year,” said Larry Brandon of Pacific Gas & Electric Company. “The award recognizes Rolling Hills Casino and Resort as a leader in energy integration. Rolling Hills has shown great interest in both energy efficiency and demand response over the years and, as stewards of the land, has explored self-generation through solar and wind power.”

“We are committed to doing our part in conserving energy and setting an energy conscious example for others in our community to follow,” said Wayne McIver, Facilities Manager of Rolling Hills Casino, which includes two hotels, three restaurants, Traveler’s Center, and the Sevillano Links Golf Course.

According to McIvor, Rolling Hills was able to significantly conserve energy by replacing heating and air conditioning units and installing a computerized energy management system for monitoring lighting and air conditioning. The Casino also upgraded lighting and the motors used in the kitchen’s walk in coolers and freezers. The fountain has a new energy efficient motor as well. McIver anticipates the total energy savings from all projects will exceed 250 kW and 2,100,000 kWh of annual electric usage in 2012.

Rolling Hills also actively participates in PGEs’ Demand Response Program, reducing electricity use during peak usage times. “When PG&E calls for possible brown outs or when there is a high demand for power by PG&E customers, we switch from PG&E power to our own generators to run the Casino’s facilities.

“On ‘event days’ when temperatures are high throughout California, Rolling Hills is able to shed one megawatt of load, greatly assisting in lightening the load on the grid,” said Brandon.

In addition to energy conservation, Rolling Hills made recycling and waste reduction a priority in in its efforts to be greener and environmentally responsible. “Six months before beginning our recycling program we averaged 18 tons of trash per week,” said McIvor. “We now recycle about ten tons of recyclable products per month that would have gone to our local land fill. These recyclables include plastics, cardboard, shredded paper, aluminum cans, metal scraps, and cooking oils. In addition, we send food scraps to a local hog farmer and landscape cuttings to an employee’s goat herd.”

Cost savings are an added benefit of going green. “We pay an average of $44.80 per ton to haul the trash. By reducing the amount of trash hauled away, we saved $8,602 in six months. In addition, we received $6,498 through recycling. That’s over $15,099 in cost savings in just six months,” boasted McIvor.

“Protecting our environment and natural resources is important to us, and the legacy we leave to our children,” said John Crosby of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, owners of Rolling Hills Casino and Resort. “We are very proud of this award because it reflects our commitment to be environmentally responsible and reduce our carbon footprint.”

Pictured above: Jeff Realander, CFO, Kate Grissom, Marketing Director, Wayne McIvor, Facilities Manager, Larry Brandon, PGE, Gary Poynor, COO.