Respect for Habitat

Berkshire Hathaway Energy respects the earth's natural resources and works hard to minimize local environmental impact. In the U.S., that means smart operation management and, in some cases, implementing conservation plans to help ensure the survival of endangered and threatened species. Globally, we look for opportunities to use and transport fossil fuels more efficiently, and for new renewable sources of electricity to preserve scarce natural resources.

Protecting the Desert Tortoise

Once Kern River proceeded with its major pipeline expansion, we committed to completing the project in an environmentally responsible manner. That meant ensuring the habitat of the threatened desert tortoise was protected, including the delicate desert grasses they rely on to survive. Because regeneration of these plants could require 50 years or more, a large-scale transplant effort was selected to be the best option for restoring the area impacted by the pipeline. During a four-month period, two environmental contractors, and nearly 100 workers and inspectors flagged and transplanted the unique desert vegetation prior to pipeline construction.

Replenishing Forest Cover

Looking to be good stewards of the environment, employees of CalEnergy Philippines led a drive in 2004 to replenish the forest cover in the Central Luzon Valley. A 2003 satellite picture of the watershed indicated the forest cover was thinning in some areas, largely brought about by illegal logging activities. CalEnergy employees responded by joining a local coalition to plant some 5,000 mahogany seedlings in a three-hectare area near the Casecnan plant site. CalEnergy and the National Irrigation Authority are collectively working on a pilot reforestation project of approximately 120 hectares of land.

Northern Powergrid Protects Endangered Bats

Building Homes for Endangered Bats

When construction was required at one of its substations, Northern Powergrid discovered the same area was home to a large colony of bats. The company solicited the assistance of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to construct bat houses in the surrounding trees. With these new homes in place, construction could continue without impacting the colony.

Northern Natural Gas partnered with Bat Conservation International to construct and install bat houses at facilities near Redfield, Iowa and in Ottawa County, Kansas. The company continues to monitor the house locations and surrounding habitat. Through this research, Bat Conservation International can maintain the bat population and their significant benefits to agriculture.

Award-Winning Land Reclamation

To reduce environmental impacts, PacifiCorp has introduced many programs addressing wildlife protection, wetlands preservation, reducing hydroelectric facilities' impact on fish, plant relicensing, and bird interactions with power lines and wind turbines. The company also uses award-winning land reclamation techniques to restore habitat after completing mining operations.

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