By Brownie Carson, Executive Director
Thank you for inviting the Natural Resources Council of Maine to participate in this exciting occasion – I’ll be brief and to the point. Because of our state’s heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, Maine faces a triple threat: economic hardship, harmful pollution, and energy insecurity. These are threats that we can and must address with aggressive energy efficiency and other clean energy strategies.
To create a new energy future, we must work at all levels, from choices made by individual shoppers to action by Congress—and through visionary corporate leadership as shown by Hannaford in building the country’s greenest grocery store. Maine’s buildings use a tremendous amount of oil and electricity, this one will use much less.
There are many things to love about this LEED Platinum grocery store, especially the use of so many energy efficiency features which will cut emissions and save energy costs for Hannaford and their customers.
The fine people of Hannaford have demonstrated that they are committed to leadership by example. In past years, Hannaford has engaged the states efficiency program, Efficiency Maine, to help make many of their existing stores energy efficient. And, looking ahead, this LEED-certified Hannaford’s is the kind of innovative green building project that can drive Maine’s clean energy economy and protect our environment for future generations.
We commend Hannaford for their commitment to Maine’s environment and to the people of Maine. We hope that this store becomes a model for business across Maine and the nation.
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