Inland Empire, CA – The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIA), Baldy View Chapter honored Inland Empire Utilities Agency’s (IEUA/Agency) General Manager Joe Grindstaff with an Outstanding Leadership Award and awarded IEUA with the IE H2O Hero Innovator of the Year Award for the Agency’s RP-5 Battery Storage Project. The awards were presented at the 11th annual San Bernardino County Water Conference on Friday, August 11.
The Outstanding Leadership Award recognizes leaders in the water industry. Mr. Grindstaff was recognized for his contribution to the water industry; sharing his expertise, vision and talents as a committee member, speaker and panelist over the past decade to the San Bernardino Water Conference. His award comes after his announcement that he will retire from IEUA at the end of the year. The award calls out the lasting impact Mr. Grindstaff has left on our region and the legacy he has provided that will last far beyond our lifetimes.
The IE H2O Hero Innovator of the Year Award recognizes IEUA’s landmark, first-of-its-kind RP-5 Battery Storage Project and IEUA’s commitment to sustainable water resources and contribution to water and energy efficiency. The primary criterion for the Innovator of the Year Award is excellence and innovation in water projects, highlighting the belief that solutions to our water challenges can be achieved through innovative and practical solutions.
“IEUA continues to be recognized as an industry leader for pioneering projects, like our landmark battery storage project, that lead the way in epitomizing the importance of the water energy nexus,” stated IEUA Board President Steve Elie. “We at IEUA are proud of our accomplishments and are honored to be rewarded for continued leadership that provides a pathway for regional sustainable water management practices.”
The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Baldy View Chapter’s mission is to promote, advocate for and grow the homebuilding industry through member representation and community education at the local level. In addition, the Baldy View Chapter shall maintain a presence and influence on industry-related issues at regional, state, and national levels.
The Inland Empire Utilities Agency covers 242-square miles, distributes imported water, provides industrial/municipal wastewater collection and treatment services, and other related utility services to more than 875,000 people through its member agencies which include Chino, Chino Hills, Cucamonga Valley Water District, Fontana, Fontana Water Company, Montclair, Monte Vista Water District, Ontario, and Upland.