<p><strong>Eden Prairie, MN</strong> - SUPERVALU INC. has joined the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge. The program’s objective is to challenge building operators in improving energy efficiency nationwide by 20 percent between now and 2020. President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton, made this announcement at a leadership event attended by Craig Herkert, CEO of SUPERVALU, in Washington, D.C. SUPERVALU, has always been a partner in the commitment for environmental sustainability, investing $20 million in energy efficiency initiatives in just this year and creating more than 1,300 projects in its endeavor.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> For five years, SUPERVALU has been working to improve its numbers. The aim is to reduce total carbon emissions by 10 percent and landfill waste by 50 percent with projections of reaching this goal as early as the end of 2012. A few of the company’s research and development projects, both in the works and being implemented already include: the nation's first low-carbon, ammonia refrigeration system at an Albertsons in Carpinteria, California, lighting efficient upgrades, refrigerator and freezer alarm systems to indicate doors left open, and fuel cells in designated stores providing primary energy sources. These are only a handful of the company’s many helpful ways that it is demonstrating its commitment. SUPERVALU also announced plans to transition 40 stores to zero waste operations its fiscal year ending Feb. 25, 2012. SUPERVALU’s garbage expenses have also been decreased by 12.6 percent during fiscal year ending February 2011.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"Reducing our energy footprint and creating a more thoughtful and sustainable operation are important priorities, and we will continue to test innovative ways to build our stores with future generations in mind," said Mr. Herkert. "These projects are good for the environment, improve our operating efficiency and create jobs -- ultimately benefiting the communities we serve."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.supervalu.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
