Food Lion Stores Earn Energy Star Label

SALISBURY, N.C. - More than 200 Food Lion units in eight states have earned the prestigious Energy Star designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the retailer said here yesterday.

The Energy Star label signifies that the Food Lion stores in question 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 earning the Energy Star designation are among the top 25 percent nationwide in terms of energy performance, earning a score of 75 or greater and maintaining an indoor environment that conforms to industry standards.

Food Lion’s 205 stores designated as Energy Stars are located in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. The chain claims to have more than any other supermarket chain.

“We think it’s quite an accomplishment,” said Rick Heithold, Food Lion’s strategic sourcing manager of energy and maintenance, in a statement. “Through renovations, new construction, advanced technologies, and company-wide 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, the company said. In 2004, Food Lion will save 415 billion Btu and cut its natural gas consumption by nearly 18 percent. The chain is reducing its water use by more than 5 percent.

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. And 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.
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