PECI and BPA offer energy savings to grocers

Portland Energy Conservation Inc. and the Bonneville Power Administration announced today the extension of the BPA EnergySmart Grocer program, an incentive program for grocery and convenience stores to purchase discounted energy-efficient equipment.

Created in 2006, the program has already reached 1,200 that have taken advantage of the incentives to take steps toward better energy efficiency resulting in collective savings of over $3 million per year. PECI officials say that energy costs are typically one of the greatest expenses for grocers because of round-the-clock use of heavy-duty refrigeration equipment.

"This program has really made a difference for our small business," says Grant Lunde, marketing manager of C&K Market of Brookings, Ore. C&K made energy-saving changes in 11 stores resulting the savings of more than 350,000 kWh. "BPA EnergySmart Grocer provides the tools, on-site project management and incentive information we need to invest in energy efficiency."