5.15.2008 - 02:12pmET
News from:
Recreational Equipment, Inc.
REI Extends Commitment to Renewable Energy with Solar Power Investment
Solar Electric Installations Planned for Retail Locations in California, Oregon and Texas
(CSRwire) SEATTLE, WA - May 15, 2008 - Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national
retail cooperative providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, today
announced plans to retrofit more than 10 percent of its stores with solar
electric technology in 2008. Aligned with the co-op's environmental
priorities, REI's commitment represents one of the largest solar
investments for a specialty retailer in the country.
Photovoltaic solar panels can self-generate up to 35 percent of a store's
energy needs. REI's solar investment will generate an estimated 1.1
million kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to power 117 homes for one
year and save approximately 880 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
The co-op has selected 11 stores to be retrofitted with solar electric
systems in 2008. The seven locations in California include Arcadia,
Folsom, Sacramento, San Carlos, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Rosa.
Additional stores include three in Oregon - Clackamas, Hillsboro and
Tualatin - and the co-op's second prototype store in Round Rock, Texas,
which was piloted in Boulder, Colo. and aims to test retail design and
green building concepts. These locations will serve as a foundation for
REI to determine how it approaches solar installations in the future.
"We are continuously looking for ways to make the design, construction and
operation of our buildings more sustainable," said Brian Unmacht, REI's
executive vice president of Sales, Service, Store Development and
Logistics. "This investment in solar technology will deliver both
financial and environmental benefits, helping to contribute to the
long-term strength of the co-op and support our goal to reduce our carbon
footprint."
Consulting with Blue Oak Energy, a solar electric engineering firm, the
store locations were selected based on a variety of criteria, including
available state incentives and utility rebates, current cost of
electricity, and size and current condition of the store's roof. The solar
panels for the REI stores in California will be installed by Offset
Electric, while the Oregon locations will be retrofitted by Christenson
Electric, Inc., a large privately held electrical contractor based in
Portland, Ore.
"REI understands that enjoying and protecting the natural environment go
hand-in-hand," said Tobin Booth, president of Blue Oak Energy. "We are
honored to be part of this historic project to power REI retail stores
with clean, renewable solar energy."
"It is naturally fitting that REI, whose main focus is promoting the great
outdoors, would make use of renewable resources to reduce their impact on
the environment and energize their stores." said Mark Walter, president of
Christenson Electric, Inc. "Christenson is proud to be involved with REI's
solar projects, along with our photovoltaic designer, EI Solutions."
REI is dedicated to green building design to lower its impacts on the
environment, reduce operating costs and enhance the retail experience for
its customers and employees. To accomplish this, the company has chosen to
focus on areas such as increasing water conservation, waste recycling,
energy efficiency and indoor air quality in its locations.
The co-op has committed to utilizing renewable power sources wherever
possible. REI currently purchases approximately 20 percent of its
electricity from green sources, including wind and biomass, and continues
to collaborate with utility companies in developing additional options
available in the market.
Announced in May 2006, REI's prototype initiative was developed to test
retail design and green building concepts, and help the company make
decisions on how it will approach store design and construction in the
future. The company will analyze the Boulder and Round Rock locations
extensively prior to opening a third prototype store currently targeted
for 2010.
REI first announced formal strategies to reduce the company's carbon
footprint in its 2006 stewardship report. For additional information on
the co-op's social and environmental practices, including its inventory of
greenhouse gas emissions, visit the 2007 stewardship report available
online at www.rei.com/stewardship.
About REI
REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating
and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor
adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest
mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI operates retail stores
nationwide, two online stores - www.rei.com and www.REI-OUTLET.com -
and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures. REI offers products from
all of the top brands for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking,
paddling, snow sports and travel, including its own line of award-winning
outdoor gear and apparel. While anyone may join or shop at REI, members
pay a one-time $20 fee and receive a share in the company's profits
through an annual member refund based on their purchases. As an active
supporter of the communities in which it does business, REI is committed
to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor
recreation through education, volunteerism, gear donations and financial
contributions.
About Blue Oak Energy
Blue Oak Energy is a design, engineering and planning firm for the solar
electric industry. The company is responsible for engineering activities
associated with some of the largest and most prominent North American
solar electric projects. Blue Oak Energy is a member of the 1% For the
Planet and a percentage of the company’s annual earnings are donated to
environmental organizations. Their offices are located in Davis,
California. For more information, please visit www.blueoakenergy.com.
www.rei.com
|
> MORE NEWS
THE LATEST NEWS RELEASES
> MORE HEADLINES
> ABOUT THIS SERVICE
> SUBMIT YOUR NEWS RELEASE
|
