Energy Day Leadership Bakersfield

Exploring Kern County’s Energy Industry

The world of energy is evolving, and Kern County continues to be “California’s Energy Capital.”

On May 12, the Leadership Bakersfield 2023 class heard from leaders representing various companies in the energy industry who shared their assessments on the critical role that the various sectors in the energy industry play in Kern County, and the future of a changing energy industry.

Energy Day, hosted by LaMeka Ross of Aera Energy and Robin Woodward of Chevron, had three primary objectives: For participants to learn about the different types of energy produced in Kern County, understand the impact of the energy industry on the Kern County economy, and understand Kern County’s role in energy production and how the production relates to the state, nation, and world.

The day began with subject-matter experts from Aera’s Ambassador Program conducting interactive educational exercises that demonstrated the importance of environmental stewardship and the role of oil and gas in the economy and in the lives of everyday citizens. Led by Aera’s Ambassador Program Coordinator Logan Fuller-Aguirre, the program helps Aera employees build strong communities through education, mentoring and service in the community – sharing practical knowledge that encourages open, fact-based dialogue and transparency around the energy industry.

Kern County Planning Director Lorelei Oviatt highlighted the opportunities for Kern County energy industry to continue fueling California’s sustainable future, despite the current challenges the county and industry face. She talked about the delicate balancing act required to fulfill their mission that fosters economic vitality, supports resource conservation, and serves the diverse needs of Kern County residents, including those with lower incomes, by improving their economic, environmental, and social quality of life.

California is the leading producer of renewable energy in the United States and Kern County supplies over 60 percent of California’s renewable energy – more than any other county in California. Colby Hall of Chevron facilitated a thoughtprovoking panel that explored new opportunities to expand how renewable energy can thrive in Kern County with Stephen Amstutz of San Joaquin Green Hydrogen and Julie Gill of Hydrostor.

Amstutz explained how green (powered by renewable energy) hydrogen can revolutionize how we use energy in the future, from our cars to homes and many hard to decarbonize sectors of the economy. He illustrated how San Joaquin Green Hydrogen’s proposed flagship project, located Tehachapi, the “wind capital” of the United States, will play an integral role in positioning California’s San Joaquin Valley as a hub for green hydrogen by harnessing proven hydrogen systems that integrate into the production, storage, and distribution of clean hydrogen throughout Southern California.

Gill shared how Hydrostor is proving a breakthrough solution to enable the transition to a cleaner, more affordable, and flexible electricity grid. Hydrostor’s Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage projects leverage proven construction techniques with known standard equipment using only air, gravity, and water and will create hundreds of living wage jobs for the four years of construction and 30-40 full-time living wage jobs for its 50+ year life span.

She explained how Hydrostor technologies will play a major role in cleaning our environment and creating a sustainable planet for generations to come.

Denise Newton, Manager of Large Industrial Accounts at Pacific Gas & Electric Co., provided an overview of how PG&E is providing safe, reliable, affordable natural gas and electricity throughout California. In addition, she shared how electric power mix comes from a variety of GHG-free resources, including renewables, nuclear, and large hydroelectric as well as an update on the Diablo Canyon Power Plant Project that supports statewide electric reliability during the clean energy transition.

Taft Mayor Dave Noerr delivered an illustrative presentation educating attendees on the importance of energy independence and dispelling myths about the energy transition as it relates to the petroleum (oil and gas) industry. He passionately explained that the energy transformation will not eliminate the need for petroleum for generations. Petroleum is used to produce plastic, rubber, or synthetics that are needed to manufacture medical equipment and supplies, electronics, clothing, and thousands of other products that people use every day.

The day ended with a tour of Aera’s new Integrated Operations Control Center, a state-of-the-art, centralized facility that tracks every piece of equipment ensuring everything is working as it should to further improve safety and create operational efficiency. Aera also shared how it plans to play a role in the state’s energy transformation. Those plans include integrating innovative approaches, such as the IOCC, into operations as well as implementing technological solutions such as Carbon Capture and Storage, also known as CCS, photovoltaic (PV) solar projects, and other technologies to help reduce its own carbon footprint thereby helping the state meet its bold climate goals. The day was a success thanks in large part to strong support across the vast energy industry leaders and rich discussion about how each sector of the energy industry will play an important role in finding affordable, reliable, ever-cleaner solutions to provide the energy the world needs.

Thank you to program underwriter Chevron and to the Leadership Bakersfield day sponsors Aera Energy, Berry Corporation, PG&E and Western State Petroleum Association (WSPA).

Thank you to our Day Sponsors

Thank you to our Program Underwriter

Bienvenidos a Mango Haus: New Restaurant Highlights Fresh Latin Flavors

Restaurateurs bring healthy, locally-sourced Latin cuisine to the community

Bakersfield is a city that boasts a rich history and a diverse community, and with the arrival of Mango Haus, it now has a new culinary destination. The Mango Haus is a fusion restaurant that marries wholesome Latin cuisine with locally sourced, fresh ingredients. It’s also a place that embodies the values of community, sustainability and purpose.

Walking into Mango Haus, one can immediately sense the warmth and passion that Co-Owners Mao Granada and Johnny Diaz, have put into creating this space. The restaurant is located inside the Best Western Hill House on Truxtun Avenue, and as soon as you enter the lobby, the aroma of the food tantalizes your senses. The decor is colorful, and the vibe is relaxed yet vibrant.

“We believe that we can eat cleaner and healthier and still have amazing flavors,” said Diaz.

The Mango Haus defines its menu as “Nuevo Latino,” and for Granada and Diaz, the menu reflects their community.

“Our menu is a reflection of who we are. It’s hard to define Mango Haus,” said Granada. “We are spicy.”

“We are, we have flavor, we’re colorful, controversial…” added Diaz. “new, we are upscale, we are everything.”

Both Granada and Diaz grinned at each other.

“Mango Haus doesn’t have one identity, it has the spirit of the world.”

Mango Haus aims to share real food with the city they love and serve dishes that nourish and inspire the people. Focusing on plant-positive and organic food, the restaurant hopes to keep the community healthy and happy from the inside out. Granada and Diaz believe that empathy, integrity, and discipline can create unbreakable bonds in a team and they intentionally work to transform their workplace into a community.

Mango Haus offers a menu built around locally sourced produce, using sustainable practices and organic ingredients whenever possible. As a vegan, Granada is passionate about bringing fresh, organic ingredients to the restaurant's dishes, and believes that plant-positive and organic food is better for both health and the environment.

“At Mango Haus, we are thoughtful about everything that goes into our food, our minds and bodies. We even choose to cook with high-quality anti- inflammatory oils like Avocado and Olive. When we’re healthy within, it comes through on the outside,” Granada said.

Currently serving breakfast and brunch in advance of a full menu, The Mango Haus highlights vegan and gluten-free dishes with classic options for those without food restrictions or allergies.

The restaurant’s number one dish since opening its doors is the Chilaquiles Rojos, made with mango pico de gallo and homemade salsa served with frijoles de la olla. The dish has a sweet and savory twist that locals are raving about.

“We think that one of the reasons that the Chilaquiles are the biggest seller is that it's an international dish, it doesn't matter what Latin country you’re in, you can probably order chilaquiles,” said Diaz. “However, we have perfected them with our signature ingredient, mangos. They’ re not too greasy, too spicy or too salty.”

The brunch menu also includes dishes like feelgood pancakes made with organic oats, brown rice, chia/hemp seeds, haus-made berry compote, and maple butter. Another popular item is the tortilla Española, a classic Spanish potato and egg omelet with caramelized onion, bell pepper, and zucchini, served with organic greens.

In a city where healthy eating options can be limited, The Mango Haus is a welcome addition, offering not only nutritious and delicious food but also a sense of community and purpose. The owners’ commitment to locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices is a testament to their dedication to both their customers and the environment.

Mango Haus is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors can check out the complete breakfast menu at mangohausbk.com. For the latest information, follow The Mango Haus on Instagram (@mangohaus_bk).

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