Supervalu steps up to the efficient buildings challenge

Washington, D.C. — Supervalu announced that it has joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge, which aims to engage building operators nationwide in improving energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. The announcement was made by President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton during a leadership event attended by Craig Herkert, Supervalu CEO and president, this morning in Washington, D.C.



“Reducing our energy footprint and creating a more thoughtful and sustainable operation are important priorities, and we will continue to test innovative ways to build our stores with future generations in mind,” said Herkert. “These projects are good for the environment, improve our operating efficiency and create jobs — ultimately benefiting the communities we serve.”



Supervalu has invested $20 million in energy efficiency initiatives this year alone resulting in more than 1,300 projects across its enterprise.



In order to achieve its energy and carbon reduction goals, and support its commitment to the Better Buildings Challenge, Supervalu said it will continue to invest in innovative energy efficiency projects.



Supervalu said it has been working over the past five years to reduce total carbon emissions by 10% and landfill waste by 50% and is on track to reach those milestones by the end of 2012.



One of Supervalu's projects is the nation’s first low-carbon, ammonia refrigeration system at an Albertsons store it is remodeling in Carpinteria, Calif.



Since 2008, Supervalu has completed 4,500 energy reduction projects.



“I am honored to attend today’s event and thrilled at our ongoing efforts around environmental stewardship,” said Herkert. “We appreciate the leadership shown by the Obama Administration and the Clinton Global Initiative and are committed to leading our industry through ongoing investments in projects that create energy efficient stores, offices and distribution centers.”



The Better Buildings Challenge is a leadership initiative launched in February by President Obama. It is spearheaded by former President Clinton and the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness to support job creation by catalyzing private sector investment in commercial and industrial building energy upgrades to make America’s buildings 20% more efficient over the next decade, reducing energy costs for American businesses by nearly $40 billion.