DeCA launches solar-powered store

FORT LEE, Va. The Defense Commissary Agency has announced that on April 7 it turned on its first "solar powered" at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. According to DeCA, about 30% of the energy used by the store will be powered by the sun.

The $840,000 project was funded through the Department of Defense Energy Conservation Investment Program. While Los Angeles is the first DeCA store to be partially powered by solar energy, the agency plans to seek additional opportunities to use alternate sources of energy at commissaries worldwide in areas with the highest utility costs.

"We are committed to being an environmental leader in the food marketing industry," said Rick Page, DeCA's acting director. "A critical element of our leadership role is effective waste management leading to zero waste at commissaries nationwide. By working diligently and in an orderly manner toward zero waste, DeCA is able to improve its recycling volume and thus the surcharge revenue. Everyone benefits – customers, our installation partners, DeCA, and most importantly, the environment," he said.