Obama visits Safeway center; calls for new truck fuel efficiency rules

New York -- President Barack Obama visited Safeway Inc.’s distribution center in Upper Marlboro, Md., where he spotlighted the chain’s efforts to improve truck efficiency and called for new fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks by March 2016. The new standards will mean “thousands of dollars in savings every year” for truck operators, Obama said.



Safeway has long been committed to operating its business in the most fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible way. The chain’s longtime participation in the EPA SmartWay Transport Program as both a carrier and shipping partner helps it move goods through its supply chain in the cleanest and most efficient way possible. In 2013, 99.9% of the truckloads that moved through Safeway's distribution centers were shipped by SmartWay Transport carriers who have implemented technologies to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.



In addition, Safeway has increased its ton miles per gallon (the amount of fuel needed to transport one ton of material one mile) by nearly 28% since 2006. Safeway is a long-time partner in the EPA's Green Power Partnership, which encourages and recognizes the commitment of businesses that utilize renewable energy to power their operations. The company also uses solar and wind as alternative sources of energy to power its various facilities, including stores, fuel centers, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities and corporate offices.