Save Mart Cuts Energy, Creates Jobs

SN STAFF

MODESTO, Calif. — Save Mart Supermarkets here saved more than $8,000 on a high-efficiency LED lighting retrofit at its Ripon, Calif., store location through a partnership with EnergySmart Jobs, a federally funded program to create jobs through the implementation of energy-saving upgrades at retailers.

The EnergySmart Jobs Program is an initiative of Energy Upgrade California, administered by PECI, San Francisco. Funding for the program is provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 through the California Energy Commission.

In collaboration with EnergySmart Jobs, Pacific Gas and Electric Company provided Save Mart with $11,462 in incentives for this energy efficiency project. By installing LED case lighting with motion sensors, the Ripon Save Mart will receive an estimated energy savings of 83,701 kilowatt-hours annually.

"For us the number one factor was job creation," said Ray Agah, Save Mart's vice president of engineering, in a statement. "We are that kind of company. We want to help people. It's a very progressive program."

Save Mart and Ken's Liquor were among the recipients of the initial rebates obtained over the last month through EnergySmart Jobs, offsetting the upfront costs of these upgrades.