By Tracy Correa
Lineman Chad Oliver, who works in Auberry, demonstrates his skills high atop a utility pole at PG&E's exhibit at the World Ag Expo in Tulare. (Photos by Tracy Correa.)
TULARE – The World Ag Expo in California’s agriculturally-rich Central San Joaquin Valley is expected to draw 100,000 visitors this week, providing PG&E a prime opportunity to reach an important segment of its customer base.
Launched more than 40 years ago, the World Ag Expo – part farm trade show and part state fair – has grown to attract local as well as international visitors from 72 countries. And this year, PG&E doubled its presence with two exhibit areas that focused on safety and technology.
Bob Carlson, manager of energy solutions and service for PG&E, said the three-day event is an important venue for the utility.
“This is the easiest way for us to reach such a large volume of agricultural customers,” he said. “And it allows us to network with all the suppliers and vendors so that we can keep abreast of the new technologies for saving energy.”
A mom and her calf greet visitors at one of the dairy exhibits at the World Ag Expo in Tulare.
Agriculture is big business in California and a major segment of PG&E’s service sector representing about 7 percent of its energy sales and 88,000 accounts (one-quarter from Fresno County alone). The industry is a major economic driver representing about one in 10 California jobs.
The significance of the Ag Expo and clout of the farming industry can’t be understated as the event also attracts big-name attendees: Republican presidential-hopeful Newt Gingrich toured the grounds Tuesday (Feb. 14) and former President George W. Bush will speak at the event on Wednesday (Feb. 15).
And in the ag industry, everything from dairies to fruit farms relies on PG&E-supplied energy to run smoothly and efficiently.
Tucked between rows of tractors and rototillers, PG&E’s safety exhibit proved to be one of the busiest areas at the show.
Robert Hunt, a PG&E lineman in Fresno, shows a volunteer some of the tasks that he typically performs.
Spectators donned safety hats, vests and gloves and tried their hands at tasks routinely performed by utility lineman. The tasks were performed on the ground with low-mounted utility poles. “We would normally be 35 to 65 feet in the air doing this,” said Robert Hunt, a lineman for PG&E in Fresno.
Also on display were instruments PG&E is using as part of a comprehensive program to test the safety of its natural gas pipeline system, including equipment used in hydrostatic pressure tests and “smart pigs.” PG&E is using smart pigs to detect dents, corrosion and cracks from inside gas transmission lines. The so-called pigs got their name because of the squealing noise they make.
Safety is a high priority for PG&E and something the utility is emphasizing to its customers at the Ag Expo, said Carlson. Allowing members to participate and see how things are being performed is important.
“You can tell that people walk away with a new appreciation,” he said.
The John Deere tractor exhibit is a regular fixture at the World Ag Expo in Tulare. PG&E increased its presence this year.
PG&E representatives also joined other utility officials to discuss topics of concern to the ag industry. Other areas PG&E representatives also highlighted at the event included time-varying pricing, a new electric rate structure for businesses that is designed to help protect the state’s electricity resources.
The Ag Expo, with its exhibitors spread out over 200 acres, is expected to pump about $1.3 billion into the local economy.
Email Tracy Correa at tcce@pge.com.
