Enviornmentally Progressive New Price Chopper Opens in Colonie NY
Gold Certification Status from the United States EPA Greenchill Partnership
SCHENECTADY, NY (06/02/2009)(readMedia)-- State-of-the-Art Store Showcases US Green Building Council Design and Construction Elements in Anticipation of LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certification in Addition to an Expanded Variety of Fresh Signature Items and Kosher Foods
Price Chopper Supermarkets, a Golub Corporation company, has opened its newest store, in Colonie, NY, setting a standard for green design and construction that is unmatched in the industry.
In addition to its environmentally progressive features, the store boasts a number of enhanced fresh food offerings, including a new Kosher Bakery which expands what is already the largest Kosher store-within-a-store offer between Monsey (NY) and Montreal. The 69,000 square foot store and pharmacy will be located at 1892 Central Avenue, at the opposite end of the same (Colonie) plaza as an existing Price Chopper store which will close an hour prior to the opening of the new store.
"This revolutionary new store represents several of our major corporate commitments," said Neil Golub, Price Chopper president and CEO. "our commitment to our hometown Capital Region, our commitment to reducing our energy usage and investing in sustainable and renewable technology as well as our commitment to provide value to our customers with an extensive selection of locally grown and produced products, natural and organic products, unique specialty and imported products and signature fresh and packaged Price Chopper and Central Market brand products, in addition to an unparalleled kosher foods offer."
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the building with the highest level of GreenChill gold-level certification ever achieved by a supermarket retailer. The GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership is an EPA cooperative alliance with the supermarket industry and other stakeholders to promote advanced technologies, strategies, and practices that reduce refrigerant charges and emissions of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases.
"Only three other stores in the nation have achieved gold level certification and, of the four, Price Chopper's new Colonie store has the highest rating. Price Chopper customers and associates should be proud of this level of achievement from the store," said Keilly Witman, who heads the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill program.
Price Chopper also partnered with the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) throughout the planning of the project. The state-of-the-art store will serve as a prototype for future Price Chopper supermarkets that will implement green building improvements. NYSERDA provided incentives through the New Construction and Combined Heat and Power Demonstration programs, which will enhance the economic and environmental performance of the building.
"NYSERDA is proud to have provided more than $1 million in financial incentives to Price Chopper in recognition of their investments in energy efficiency and commitment to environmental stewardship," said Francis J. Murray, Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. "This public-private partnership will complement Governor Paterson's comprehensive energy agenda, which will make New York the most energy efficient state in the nation, encourage the use of state-of-the-art energy technologies and tackle the crisis of global warming."
The new store was designed and will be constructed to meet or exceed US Green Building Council LEEDÒ (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) standards to minimize impact on the environment and natural resources.
LEED-certified buildings:
- Maximize energy efficiency
- Lower operating costs
- Reduce waste sent to landfills
- Conserve energy and water
- Ensure healthier and safer environments for associates and customers
- Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
- Demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility
In addition, Price Chopper worked with UTC Power, a United Technologies Corp (NYSE:UTX) company to provide highly energy efficient fuel cell technology to generate approximately 60 percent of the store's power needs. Fuel cells are one of the cleanest and quietest power-generating technologies in the world today; producing electricity, heat and water electrochemically.
The fuel cell also will be capable of providing 400kW of standby power if there's a grid failure, enabling the store to operate without disruption. "Our PureCellÒ system will allow Price Chopper to ensure a reliable food supply for customers and protect against costly food spoilage if the grid does go down," said Ken Fox, UTC Power vice president of on-site power solutions.
"We set out to design and build a store that would be world-class and would demonstrate our leadership and concern for the environment and energy efficiency. Throughout our planning and now, as we head into construction, we are doing everything possible to make this store an example for how businesses should operate," said Golub.
The environmental initiatives at the store also include such measures as:
- Recycling more than 75% of construction waste (rather than disposing of it in landfills or incinerators)
- Designing the use of natural lighting throughout the store to reduce electrical consumption
- Utilizing green building materials throughout the store to reduce energy usage and the need for certain cleaning fluids and paints
- Obtaining (where available) local construction materials to minimize environmental impacts from transportation
- Installing state-of-the-art refrigeration equipment to minimize ozone depleting refrigerant charges (in the event of a leak)
- Recovering the heat from the refrigeration system and reusing it for space heating
- Recycling waste produce from trimming through a hydrator process which reduces the produce to "water" and eliminates waste from being transported and disposed of at landfills
- Utilizing high efficient, low energy lighting systems throughout the store and in exterior signage
The enhanced Kosher department, under the strict supervision of the Vaad Hakashrut of the Capital District, will include a larger Kosher meat and deli department as well as the area's only full service Kosher bakery, The expanded department will be the largest Kosher section in Northeast New York (between Monsey and Montreal).
"We believe that our customers want a shopping experience that offers value - the best fresh and packaged foods available at the lowest prices. And if they can do that while supporting our environment, everyone wins," said Golub.
About Price Chopper
Based in Schenectady, NY, the Golub Corporation owns and operates more than 120 Price Chopper Supermarkets in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The family-owned company prides itself on longstanding traditions of innovative food merchandising, leadership in community service, and cooperative associate relations. Golub's approximately 25,000 associates collectively own 51% of the company's privately held stock. For additional information, visit www.pricechopper.com.
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