AUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 25, 2012) – Whole Foods Market has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year. The annual award recognizes leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market.
In addition to its renewable energy purchases, Whole Foods Market is generating nearly 258,000 kWh annually with the use of on-site solar arrays, which combined is enough green power to meet 107 percent of the grocer’s power use. Whole Foods Market adds this most recent award to its three previous Green Power Partner of the Year and two Green Power Purchasing awards from the EPA.
The grocer also received the Superior Achievement Award from the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership for reaching its refrigerant emission reduction goal for last year. GreenChill works with grocers to decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change by reducing refrigerant emissions. Whole Foods Market has won a GreenChill award the past four years as well.
“We are proud of and appreciate our partnership with the EPA’s Green Power and GreenChill programs to ensure renewable energy development and the use of refrigerants that don’t harm the ozone layer or contribute harmful emissions,” said Kathy Loftus, global leader of sustainable engineering and energy management for Whole Foods Market. “What an honor to be recognized for work that furthers our commitment to our core value of supporting our communities and environment.”
Whole Foods Market currently ranks fifth on EPA’s National Top 50 List, as well as third on its Top 20 Retail List. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through July 5, 2012.
“EPA applauds Whole Foods Market for its continued, exceptional support of the voluntary green power market,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “Whole Foods Market’s long-standing commitment to green power is a notable achievement.”
According to the EPA, Whole Foods Market’s current green power purchase and production of more than 800 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of more than 108,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 69,000 average American homes annually.
Whole Foods Market continues to be a leader in eco-friendly business practices. For example, in an upcoming meeting with the company’s Green Mission Team Members and the Yale community on Oct. 5 at 1:00 p.m. EST, Kathy Loftus will lead a talk discussing how Whole Foods Market has woven its Green Mission into all areas of its business and how this has enabled the Company to stand out as the nation’s leading green food retailer. To watch live, visit: https://new.livestream.com/yale/SustainabilityLeadersWholeFoods. Additionally, global grocery buyer Errol Schweizer will lead a discussion on food and sustainability at 2:00 p.m. EST. Watch here: https://new.livestream.com/yale/FoodAndSustainability.
To learn more about Whole Foods Market’s environmental efforts, visit https://wholefoodsmarket.com/mission-values/environmental-stewardship/green-mission.
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