| Hannaford's first
Platinum-certified LEED supermarket in the world – in Augusta 
Gov. Baldacci, Hannaford CEO Ron
Hodge and Augusta’s Mayor Roger Katz discuss the new green store. "It’s
wonderful for the city," said Katz
Article and photos by
Ramona du Houx
The first Platinum-certified LEED supermarket in
the world and the first green designed supermarket in the state of Maine will be built at
the former Cony High School location in Augusta.
"We can think of no better place for
Hannaford to invest in a first-in-the-world environmental design than right here at home
in Maine," said Hannaford CEO Ron Hodge.Hannaford started as a small local store in
Cape Elizabeth. Currently the business is the largest certified organic supermarket chain
in the Northeast and operates 160 stores.
The Platinum designation is the highest rating a
company can strive to obtain from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Hannaford plans on using the store as a research
laboratory for the company to test new innovations that decrease energy usage, waste and
water consumption, while improving air quality, storm-water management, and the use of
sustainable materials.
"The net effect of this project will be
reduced greenhouse gas emissions, water consumptions, and waste, as well as increased
landscaping, and an improved indoor environment for both store associates and
customers," said Hodge. "The store will be used as a forum for learning and
teaching about green building."
The new supermarket’s 49,000-square-foot
design has geothermal heating and cooling, solar photovoltaic panels, high efficiency
refrigeration, energy efficient lighting, an advanced recycling program, and vegetation
will grow on top of the roof. The plants will provide insulation and help control storm
water.
"The new store will be 40 percent more
energy efficient than the industry standard," said Megan Hellstedt, Hannaford’s
environmental sustainability manager. "Our goal is to recycle 95 percent of the
building, along with its contents. The Platinum rating system recommends we recycle 50
percent. We believe more is better."
Governor Baldacci said that he is proud that
Hannaford is proposing this state-of-the-art design in Maine’s capital city.
"Hannaford is displaying a lot of environmental
leadership here. Getting companies to do this on their own sends a huge message to other
companies: using less energy is smart for business and smart for the environment. Energy,
the environment, and the economy are all tied together," said Baldacci.
Maine led New England with efforts to curb
greenhouse gas emissions with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, known as RGGI. It is
home to New England’s largest utility-grade wind farm, with at least three more wind
farm proposals under regulatory review, as well as a tidal energy proposal. Within the
first year in office, Baldacci started the Office of Energy Independence and Security,
foreseeing the need to address energy issues.
"Maine is the first state government in the
nation to buy 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. We were one of the
first states to use biodiesel to heat state offices, and we were one of the first states
to adopt the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED building standards for new and
renovated state buildings," said Baldacci.
Canoe routes just $10- postage included -direct from the
publisher - 207-643-2795
or send check to: Polar Bear & Co. PO BOX 311, Solon, Maine
04979
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