Meijer to use wind power at some facilities

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Supercenter retail chain Meijer will soon expand its green initiatives to include the use of wind power at some of its facilities. The announcement was made by Stacie Behler, VP communications and public affairs for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer.

"This is a very exciting project for Meijer," said Behler. "We continue to look for ways to decrease our carbon footprint and this wind turbine project is yet another example of how we can apply innovation to be more green."

Meijer received approval to install the wind turbines from the zoning board of appeals in the city of Walker, the Grand Rapids suburb where Meijer's headquarters facility is located. Current plans are for six wind turbines to be installed on the roof of the Meijer headquarters facility, with meters placed inside the building.

The wind turbines are being manufactured by locally-based Cascade Engineering and should be installed within the next 45 days. Meijer said it is also hoping to expand its wind turbine project to include its stores in the west Michigan lakeshore communities of Grand Haven and Norton Shores.

Meijer already boasts a strong reputation amongst its customers, so this latest effort to be more "green" will only enhance that. The environment is still a top issue for consumers, so any steps to be more sustainable are welcomed.