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Hannaford Supermarkets Achieves Energy Star Designation for 16 New England Stores

Release Date: 02/07/2007
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – Feb. 7, 2007) - Hannaford Bros. Co. has been awarded Energy Star labels by EPA for demonstrating superior energy performance at 16 of its grocery stores in New England. Ten of the stores are in Maine - including four in the Portland area, as well as in Wells, Saco, Topsham, Yarmouth, Gorham, and York.

Hannaford is one of a few companies in New England to earn EPA’s prestigious Energy Star Leaders designation this year, for the overall performance of its 158 stores throughout New England and New York. The remaining six Hannaford stores that have earned an Energy Star label are in Vermont.

“Across New England, energy savings are soaring because organizations like Hannaford are making smart energy decisions that are good for the environment and good for their bottom line,” said EPA Regional Administrator Robert W. Varney. “Hannaford has shown innovation, good management and a commitment to leading the way with a new generation of environmentally-preferable building management practices.”

Compared to similar buildings with average energy performance, EPA calculates that the ten Hannaford grocery stores in Maine used 40 percent less energy.

The ten Hannaford stores in Maine awarded Energy Star Labels in 2006 are:
· 532 Main Street, Saco
· Topsham Fair Mall, Topsham
· Route 1, Yarmouth
· 90 Main Street, Gorham
· 295 Forest Avenue, Portland
· Riverside Street & Rt 302, Portland
· York - Cider Hill, York
· 415 Philbrook Avenue, So. Portland
· 107 Wells Plaza, Wells
· 50 Cottage Road, So. Portland

When a building uses less energy, it generates less pollution and saves money. EPA estimates that the 16 Energy Star labeled Hannaford stores in New England avoided more than 52 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually - the equivalent of taking more than 5100 cars off the road for one year.

”Hannaford is committed to energy conservation and environmental sustainability,” said Marwan Fakhouri, District Manager for Hannaford Supermarkets. “We have worked closely with the EPA and appreciate their recognition of our efforts in this important area.”

America’s desire for environmentally friendly buildings is growing, and superior energy efficiency – identified by the Energy Star – is a critical element of green building. EPA has awarded the prestigious Energy Star to more than 3,200 buildings for their energy efficiency. These buildings represent almost 575 million square feet, save an estimated $600 million annually in lower energy bills, and prevent almost 11 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equal to emissions from almost 900,000 vehicles.

The top performing buildings that earned the Energy Star in 2006 include about 320 supermarkets, 320 office buildings, and 200 K-12 schools. Almost 90 banks, courthouses, financial centers, hospitals, hotels, and — for the first time — dormitories also earned the Energy Star , the most recognized national symbol for energy efficiency.

Hannaford achieved superior energy performance at its stores through a combination of technology upgrades and management improvements. These upgrades and improvements include:
· Efficient T8 fluorescent lighting with electronic ballasts in its stores.
· Many of the "Hannaford" sign are illuminated with red LEDs, a much more efficient alternative to the traditional neon system.
· The North Avenue store in Burlington maximizes the use of natural light through prismatic skylights.
· Hannaford stores operate very efficiently by re-using waste heat from refrigeration for space heating.
· The Building Automation System (BAS) integrates control of lighting, refrigeration, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
· Careful monitoring and electric sub-metering of building systems keeps the system functioning smoothly.
· The refrigeration systems incorporate unique design features for very efficient operation in cold weather.

In addition to leadership on energy efficiency in store operations, Hannaford is a member of EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership - a voluntary collaboration between EPA and the freight industry to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution. Hannaford has improved the efficiency of its fleet by:
· Upgrading portions of its fleet with more aerodynamic and lighter vehicles, reducing the weight of trucks by 400 pounds without sacrificing performance or driver comfort;
· Installing single-wide tires to improve fuel efficiency and automatic idle shutdown mechanisms to reduce truck idling; and
· Making operational improvements to save fuel and reduce emissions – including the use of tandem trailers, improved weight distribution within trucks, and changes in delivery practices so that each store gets the products it needs with fewer deliveries.

Hannaford’s leadership on the trucking side of its operations provides another great model for New England companies looking to improve their environmental performance.

Hannaford Bros. Co., based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 158 stores under the Hannaford Supermarket and Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy names. Hannaford stores feature Guiding Stars, a simple, easy-to-use tool to help customers locate the most nutritious foods in the store quickly and easily. Hannaford employs more than 26,000 associates. The company is owned by Delhaize Group of Brussels, Belgium.

“Efficiency Maine has been proud to partner with Hannaford Brothers as they work to reduce their consumption of electricity and become efficient at their stores,” stated Denis Bergeron, the Public Utilities Commission’s Efficiency Maine Director. “In just three years, we have helped Hannaford Brothers adopt more efficient lighting, air conditioning, and other technologies, saving more than 450,000 kWh and $452,000 in energy costs.”

Efficiency Maine is a statewide effort to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents and businesses reduce electricity costs and improve Maine’s environment. It was created in 2002 by the Maine Legislature with the passing of “An Act to Strengthen Energy Conservation.”

Commercial buildings account for almost 18 percent of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Building owners earn the Energy Star by scoring in the top 25 percent on EPA’s energy performance rating system, which calculates scores based on actual energy use. With interest in energy efficiency growing, Energy Star offers easy-to-use tools and guidelines that can help building owners and managers in the U.S. realize significant energy and dollar savings.

EPA started the Energy Star program in 1992. Energy Star is a government-backed program that helps businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Last year alone, American consumers and businesses, with the help of Energy Star , saved $12 billion and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from 23 million vehicles.

More information:

Link to SmartWay Prorgram: (https://www.epa.gov/smartway/)

Complete list of Energy Star buildings: (energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=labeled_buildings.showBuildingSearch)

Energy and New England’s environment: (epa.gov/ne/eco/energy/index.html)

Efficiency Maine: (www.efficiencymaine.com) or call 1-866-ESMAINE

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