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3rd Annual Flex Your Power Awards

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market has been upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, lighting and refrigeration systems and cases in all Northern California stores since 2001. At its Berkeley location in 2002, Whole Foods Market introduced an integrated solar power lighting system, which includes a cool roof and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems. The integrated system is saving more than 400,000 kWhs annually, and is expected to prevent the release of more than 1,060 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) — the equivalent of removing 285 cars from the road.

In fiscal year 2004, Whole Foods Market invested $4.5 million in energy-efficient refrigeration systems. Results include:

  • Annual savings of more than 400,000 kWhs in Monterey.
  • Annual savings of approximately 900,000 kWhs in Petaluma.
  • Annual savings of approximately 145,000 kWhs in Mill Valley and San Rafael.

In fiscal year 2005, new refrigeration systems will be installed in San Francisco, Sebastopol, Mill Valley and Los Gatos markets.

Whole Foods Market is also committed to purchasing power from clean and renewable energy sources. The company purchases or generates a total of more than 20% of its power load from green power sources per year, making Whole Foods the second largest commercial purchaser of green power in the United States. In October 2004 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Whole Foods Market's green power purchases with a Green Power Leadership award.

More information: Whole Foods Market