Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) recognized Manteca business Mountain Valley Express (MVE) as a 2009 PG&E Green Award Winner for environmental stewardship and energy efficiency leadership. MVE was recognized for this distinction at a celebratory breakfast held at the freight carrier's headquarters in Manteca.

MVE is reducing its carbon footprint through energy efficiency measures such as lighting retrofit projects and heating, ventilation and air conditioning projects, as well as through the SmartAC™ demand response program. As MVE instituted its energy efficiency programs, the company received more than $11,000 in rebates from PG&E.

MVE is also enrolled in PG&E's ClimateSmart™ program, a voluntary, tax-deductible program that allows enrolled customers to balance out the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by the energy they use. To participate, customers pay a separate amount on their monthly energy bill, based on their actual energy use. PG&E invests all payments in new, independently verified projects that reduce or absorb GHG emissions.

"Through its commitment to energy efficiency and balancing out greenhouse gas emissions, Mountain Valley Express is doing its part to help create a cleaner environment for the future," said Isidro Reyes, service and sales account manager for PG&E. "PG&E is proud to recognize Mountain Valley Express and its environmental leadership here in San Joaquin County."

Due to its energy efficiency efforts, MVE has reduced its electric energy usage by 31 kilowatts. Such a reduction is equivalent to powering approximately 11 average homes for one year or removing approximately 15 cars off of the road for one year.

"As a locally owned and operated business, Mountain Valley Express is committed to reducing our carbon footprint by seeking innovative ways to ensure our business operates at optimum efficiency," said James (Scott) Blevins, president of Mountain Valley Express. "With PG&E's support we have been able to reduce our energy usage and make smarter energy choices that are environmentally responsible and make good financial sense for our business."

For more than two generations, the family-owned and operated Mountain Valley Express has provided reliable less than truckload (LTL) overnight and second day freight services to customers in California, Nevada and Arizona. Equipped with over 600 vehicles and 360 employees, MVE has expanded its services into the Dedicated Freight service market.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 15 million people in northern and central California.