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Home Depot begins energy cutbacks at 80 Northwest stores
By BridgeNews
In Stores Throughout Eight Northwest States, Grants to
Nonprofits
Company to Educate Consumers on Energy Saving Products, Services
SEATTLE, JAN. 5 -- IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING
ENERGY CRISIS THAT'S GRIPPING MUCH OF THE COUNTRY
THIS WINTER, THE HOME DEPOT(r)(NYSE: HD) TODAY
ANNOUNCED A SERIES OF VOLUNTARY ENERGY CUTBACKS
AT 80 STORES IN EIGHT NORTHWEST STATES TO HELP
CONSERVE VALUABLE ENERGY DURING THE PEAK COLD
WEATHER MONTHS.
In addition, the company will establish a $75,000 fund to
support nonprofit organizations that assist low-income
residents with energy related issues and launch "how-to"
clinics on energy conservation beginning Jan. 13.
"Conserving energy this winter is critical to minimize the
threat of potential power outages, rolling blackouts and
other energy shortages that threaten neighborhoods
throughout the region," said Tom Taylor, the company's
Northwest Division president. "The grants fund will
primarily help residents address home weatherization
needs, such as patching up a leaky roof, installing
double-pane windows or mounting a programmable
thermostat," he said.
Effective immediately, The Home Depot will voluntarily
implement the conservation measures in its Northwest
Division stores located in Washington, Oregon, Colorado,
Utah, Nevada, Montana, Idaho and Alaska. THE COMPANY
WILL USE ITS CENTRALIZED ENERGY MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM, LOCATED AT CORPORATE OFFICES IN SEATTLE,
TO INSTITUTE THE ENERGY CUTBACKS. THE
CONSERVATION MEASURES INCLUDE: REDUCING THE
TEMPERATURE POINT THAT TRIGGERS IN-STORE HEATING
SYSTEMS TURNING OFF PARKING LOT LIGHTS IN MOST
STORES ONE HOUR AFTER CLOSING SHUTTING OFF
ORANGE-COLORED HOME DEPOT HIGHWAY SIGNS AND
BUILDING SIGNAGE ONCE THE STORE CLOSES
"The Home Depot is happy to institute these operational
changes in the Northwest to demonstrate our
commitment to the environment and to energy
conservation," Taylor said.
In addition, the company will institute similar conservation
programs at its divisional Store Support Center in Seattle,
which employs 125 people. Taylor said that the company
has challenged its associates to conserve energy at their
own homes.
The grants fund will help nonprofit organizations that
address the energy needs of low-income residents,
including Christmas in April (a national Home Deport
partner), Community Action Networks and the
Opportunity Council's Energy Project. Home Depot
associates also will volunteer their time and energy to
help install energy efficient products or make other
repairs.
Home Depot "how-to" clinics will address a variety of
energy conservation issues for homeowners and
demonstrate the proper use of energy efficient products
available in the store. Please check your neighborhood
store for clinic listings and times.
"Our stores carry many products that conserve energy,
such as fluorescent light bulbs, weather stripping, caulk,
storm windows and insulation," Taylor
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