Press Releases
Second Wind Turbine Being Installed in the City of Gonzales
Turbine Will Help Provide Power to the New Del Monte Fresh/Mann Packing Facility
A second wind turbine is currently going up in the City of Gonzales, with installation expected to be complete this week. The new wind turbine is being constructed on city land and will help provide power to the new Del Monte Fresh/Mann Packing facility. The new turbine is tagged "Go Spartans" in support of Gonzales High School, an idea former Chairman of Mann Packing Lorri Koster discussed in the early stages of the approval process with City Manager René Mendez who agreed would be a fantastic idea.
The first wind turbine was installed in Gonzales in 2014 and is leased by Taylor Farms. The turbine provides 50 percent of Taylor's power needs. The City Council approved the second wind turbine site lease agreement between the City and Mann Packing Company Inc. on November 20, 2017.
Foundation Windpower of Menlo Park installed the first turbine and is also installing the second, which are located in the city's agricultural industrial business park along Gonzales River Road. The new wind turbine will be approximately 500 feet west from the Taylor Farms wind turbine.
"We are about sustainability, using the environment better, and saving energy. The turbines provide a sustainable power source consistent with the City Council's Climate Action Plan," said City Manager, René Mendez.
The "Gonzales Grows Green" (G3) Community Sustainability Initiative was established in 2009 and in 2013 the City of Gonzales became the first city in Monterey County to adopt a certified Climate Action Plan. The focus of the G3 initiative is to address issues and establish programs and projects that promote environmental conservation and education, economic development, and social equity within the community. The G3 initiative seeks partnerships with businesses to advance sustainable practices while also striving to improve community environmental awareness. Since the G3 initiative was established the city has seen a significantly boost in economic development. It has helped increase the number of jobs in the community and the added property and sales taxes provides more discretionary revenue for the general fund.
"We have figured out a way to stimulate economic development while being good steward to our environment, which is ultimately a very sustainable strategy," said City Manager, René Mendez.
The city's comprehensive sustainability best practices plan includes strategies to address energy efficiency and conservation, green building practices, renewable energy and low carbon fuels, water and wastewater systems, waste reduction and recycling, climate friendly purchasing, efficient transportation, use of land and open space, and community engagement.
In 2017 the Institute of Local Government and the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative honored the City of Gonzales with three Beacon Spotlight Awards for its efforts to address climate change.
Wind Turbine Intallation Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kttihh9bbqw47sq/AAAxvR9isl-TcHZOuCeLM2o5a?dl=0
About City of Gonzales
The city of Gonzales, California is located in Monterey County. The quaint and culturally diverse community of approximately 9,000 people is in the heart of the Salinas Valley’s agricultural and wine region. Gonzales is an established regional leader in agricultural-technology and innovation, environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Gonzales is home to companies such as HealthySoil, which manufactures products to improve agricultural crop production; Converted Organics, a natural fertilizer company; Taylor Farms, a fresh vegetable production facility, Mann Packing/Del Monte Fresh, a leading supplier of fresh cut vegetables; Ramsay Highlander, an innovator, designer and manufacturer of technologically-advanced harvesting equipment; Papé Equipment Handling, Braga Fresh, Green Valley Farm Supply, Tessemae’s, American Bioscience, Caraccioli Cellars, and Constellation Brands, an international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits.