EPA Roars Approval for Food Lion's Energy Practices
More than 200 Food Lion stores in eight states have earned the Energy Star designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
More than 200 Food Lion stores in eight states have earned the Energy Star designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Energy Star label signifies these Food Lion stores are among the most energy efficient retail facilities in the United States. The EPA has established criteria for grocery stores based on benchmarking energy performance on a scale of 1-to-100. Supermarkets among the top 25% nationwide in terms of energy performance, earning a score of 75 or greater and maintaining an indoor environment that conforms to industry standards, can earn the Energy Star designation.
With 205 Energy Star stores, Food Lion has more than any other supermarket chain and possesses a significant percentage of all Energy Star grocery stores nationwide. Food Lion's Energy Star stores are located in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
"We think it's quite an accomplishment," said Rick Heithold, Food Lion strategic sourcing manager of energy and maintenance. "Through renovations, new construction, advanced technologies, and companywide energy management practices, we will add more Energy Star stores to the Food Lion chain in 2005."
Since 2000, Food Lion has reduced its energy use by more than 1.62 trillion Btu. In 2004, Food Lion will save 415 billion Btu and cut its natural gas consumption by nearly 18%. The company is reducing its water use by more than 5%.
The environmental impact of Food Lion's efforts is significant. Based on EPA calculations, each of Food Lion's Energy Star stores saves as much as 86,000 kWh per year -- enough to power nine American homes for an entire year. The energy savings at each store also prevent 190,920 pounds of CO2 emissions per year, equal to removing the pollution of 19 cars or planting nearly 26 acres of trees.
Applying these EPA calculations to Food Lion's 2004 energy reductions of 415 billion Btu, Food Lion achieved energy savings equivalent to preventing 270 million pounds of carbon dioxide, taking 27,700 cars off the road, planting 37,000 acres of trees and powering 12,159 American homes. In the past three years alone, Food Lion has reduced CO2 emissions by more than 940 million pounds.
A partner in the Energy Star program since 1998, Food Lion received "Partner of the Year" awards in 2002 and 2003 for adopting and applying energy management practices and technology throughout its store operations. In both years, Food Lion was the only supermarket company to receive the honor. In 2004, Food Lion earned the Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award.
On Nov. 17, the EPA recognized Food Lion as an Energy Star Leader for achieving an energy rating of 75 or better throughout its building portfolio.
The Energy Star label signifies these Food Lion stores are among the most energy efficient retail facilities in the United States. The EPA has established criteria for grocery stores based on benchmarking energy performance on a scale of 1-to-100. Supermarkets among the top 25% nationwide in terms of energy performance, earning a score of 75 or greater and maintaining an indoor environment that conforms to industry standards, can earn the Energy Star designation.
With 205 Energy Star stores, Food Lion has more than any other supermarket chain and possesses a significant percentage of all Energy Star grocery stores nationwide. Food Lion's Energy Star stores are located in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
"We think it's quite an accomplishment," said Rick Heithold, Food Lion strategic sourcing manager of energy and maintenance. "Through renovations, new construction, advanced technologies, and companywide energy management practices, we will add more Energy Star stores to the Food Lion chain in 2005."
Since 2000, Food Lion has reduced its energy use by more than 1.62 trillion Btu. In 2004, Food Lion will save 415 billion Btu and cut its natural gas consumption by nearly 18%. The company is reducing its water use by more than 5%.
The environmental impact of Food Lion's efforts is significant. Based on EPA calculations, each of Food Lion's Energy Star stores saves as much as 86,000 kWh per year -- enough to power nine American homes for an entire year. The energy savings at each store also prevent 190,920 pounds of CO2 emissions per year, equal to removing the pollution of 19 cars or planting nearly 26 acres of trees.
Applying these EPA calculations to Food Lion's 2004 energy reductions of 415 billion Btu, Food Lion achieved energy savings equivalent to preventing 270 million pounds of carbon dioxide, taking 27,700 cars off the road, planting 37,000 acres of trees and powering 12,159 American homes. In the past three years alone, Food Lion has reduced CO2 emissions by more than 940 million pounds.
A partner in the Energy Star program since 1998, Food Lion received "Partner of the Year" awards in 2002 and 2003 for adopting and applying energy management practices and technology throughout its store operations. In both years, Food Lion was the only supermarket company to receive the honor. In 2004, Food Lion earned the Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award.
On Nov. 17, the EPA recognized Food Lion as an Energy Star Leader for achieving an energy rating of 75 or better throughout its building portfolio.
