Natural Grocery Chain Aims to Reduce Energy Consumption 25 Percent by 2015-

According to a recently released statement, Whole Foods, Inc. aims to cut its energy use 25 percent per square foot during the next five years. The natural foods grocer currently offsets 100 percent of its North American electricity consumption with wind energy credits, and is now taking additional steps to lighten its impact on the environment with on-site renewable energy technologies and sustainable initiatives. Developments include more use of wind, solar, and fuel cell technology as well as an electric car charging station at its headquarters in Austin, Texas. To boot, company stores will implement more rigorous green building standards, advanced refrigeration infrastructure and more efficient transportation. “With this combination of strategies, we intend to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent per square foot by 2015,” said Kathy Loftus, Whole Foods Market global leader, sustainable engineering. “Saving energy costs less than buying it, so we are reducing our energy appetite from both traditional and renewable sources.” Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Energy will help sustain the costs of existing store retrofits and new store design and, as part of the stimulus grants, Whole Foods will work with National Renewable Energy Labs (NREL) to create, test and validate green building concepts. At present, thirty Whole Foods stores are either LEED-certified, Green Globes accredited, or enrolled and preparing for certification.