Frito-Lay has realized the need to protect our planet and preserve our natural resources for future generations. One plant in Bakersfield, California produces its own energy through cogeneration, one of the most energy-efficient means of power generation. Through this process, natural gas is burned to produce steam and electricity. The steam is used to produce snacks and the electricity is used to power the plant for production. Not only does this process provide electricity for Frito-Lay, but a local utility company also benefits because the excess electricity is sold to them.

Frito-Lay is always on the look out for technology that will allow their plants to reduce energy usage. They have developed several programs which have helped reduce, by 1.3 percent, the amount of energy used over the past year. For example, a plant in Frankfort, Indiana reuses waste heat from the potato chip cooking operation to heat up the building. This single effort alone reduces Frito-Lay’s fuel needs by 400,000 gallons of oil a year. Another effort includes the use of propane-powered sales vehicles. The vehicles offer a clean alternative to gasoline powered ones by eliminating carbon particulates from vehicle emissions and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Frito-Lay currently is in the process of conserving water through a program at their manufacturing facilities which is expected to reduce water usage by up to one billion gallons over a three-year period. But conservation for Frito-Lay doesn’t stop here. They have been following environmentally sound practices for about 40 years and intend to continue exploring many new opportunities.

Reduction of fuel needs by 70 billion BTUs of energy in one year, leading to a 630,000 gallon decrease in Frito-Lay’s need for oil and saving the company $450,000.

You usually encounter a specialist when your primary care doctor wants to confirm a diagnosis or wants a second opinion. If your family physician recommends a specialist or you seek one on your own, then here are questions that need to be answered:

“Why do I have to see a specialist?” Or, put another way, “I’d like a good explanation of what you think is wrong with me.” Ask for—demand, if necessary—a complete and understandable point by-point diagnostic portrait. Maybe your doctor can’t or won’t explain things clearly to you. Or he or she might respond resentfully to your questions with “If you don’t trust my judgment, then perhaps you should find yourself another doctor.” Take that advice. Find yourself another doctor who can and wants to explain things, one you can trust, and who trusts you. Going to a specialist should not be a casual next step routinely taken in every medical situation.

Why this kind of specialist?” Again, it’s information you’re after. You need to know about the specialist’s areas of expertise, and what is involved with the performance of that specialty. Knowing this will help you determine whether you want to see the specialist at all. That is an option. You don’t have to see a specialist (or see that particular specialist) immediately if you are not convinced that consultation is justified. Let your doctor know that he or she must make a very good case for every step taken in your medical care.

Why this particular specialist?” Why Dr. Jones and not Dr. Smith? Is Dr. Jones the best person for the job? Are you being sent to Dr. Jones because he is an excellent representative of his profession? Or is it because Dr. Jones and your doctor are country club buddies or old college friends who have an arrangement, each recommending the other? While there is nothing wrong with friends referring patients to each other, you want to feel confident that competence is the basic reason for the referral.