Stew Leonard's Receives $1 Million Incentive for Green Practices
NORWALK, Conn. -- Stew Leonard's here said it has received a check for more than $1 million from the Connecticut Energy Efficient Fund (CEEF), recognizing the retailer's energy efficiency incentive programs at its three stores in the state.
The company's initiatives include high-efficiency lighting, LED signs, carbon dioxide controls; and, in the Stew Leonard's newest store, in Newington, Conn., an innovative heat pump loop system that captures excess heat from some areas of the store and redistributes it to other parts that require it.
"We have been working with Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) since the late 1990s to incorporate energy-saving measures throughout our stores," Stew Leonard's v.p. of public relations Meghan Flynn told Progressive Grocer. "We have invested in these initiatives because benefits not only the company, but also the surrounding community and our customers by containing costs for producing and storing food, and reducing demand on the electrical distribution system, therefore increasing capacity for surrounding businesses."
According to Flynn, Stew Leonard's combined initiatives will save 5 million kilowatt hours a year -- equivalent to providing energy to 600 homes for 12 months.
"All the stores employ energy-saving measures," noted Flynn, including the grocer's location in Yonkers, N.Y.
The CEEF promotes efficient energy use, helps residents and businesses save on their electric bills, advances economic development, reduces electric demand and helps reduce air pollution. CL&P administers the CEEF through conservation programs that serve residential customers, including low- and fixed-income customers, as well as business and municipal customers.
The company's initiatives include high-efficiency lighting, LED signs, carbon dioxide controls; and, in the Stew Leonard's newest store, in Newington, Conn., an innovative heat pump loop system that captures excess heat from some areas of the store and redistributes it to other parts that require it.
"We have been working with Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) since the late 1990s to incorporate energy-saving measures throughout our stores," Stew Leonard's v.p. of public relations Meghan Flynn told Progressive Grocer. "We have invested in these initiatives because benefits not only the company, but also the surrounding community and our customers by containing costs for producing and storing food, and reducing demand on the electrical distribution system, therefore increasing capacity for surrounding businesses."
According to Flynn, Stew Leonard's combined initiatives will save 5 million kilowatt hours a year -- equivalent to providing energy to 600 homes for 12 months.
"All the stores employ energy-saving measures," noted Flynn, including the grocer's location in Yonkers, N.Y.
The CEEF promotes efficient energy use, helps residents and businesses save on their electric bills, advances economic development, reduces electric demand and helps reduce air pollution. CL&P administers the CEEF through conservation programs that serve residential customers, including low- and fixed-income customers, as well as business and municipal customers.