Safeway previews new green store

Pleasanton, Calif. Safeway gave a sneak preview of its “green” store design in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Earth Day. It is Safeway’s first location designed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.

The 59,600-sq.-ft. store will feature such green innovations as a system that uses water condensation captured from the refrigeration system to irrigate the outdoor landscaping. It also utilizes greenhouse-gas reducing energy sources such as photovoltaic solar panels and fuel cells.

At peak power production, the alternative-energy technologies will produce more than 70% of the store’s peak energy usage.