Phoenix-Mesa, AZ (1888PressRelease)
November 07, 2009 - Things are looking considerably brighter at St. Mary’s Food Bank’s 120,000 sq. ft. main Phoenix warehouse, thanks to the efforts of management and employees of Phoenix-based ATS Electric, Inc. and two of its vendors.
The contractor secured cash donations and provided the labor for a project that will generate an estimated annual energy savings savings of more than $10,800 – a decrease in power usage of more than 50 percent over 2008. The savings will be used to provide enough food for more than 75,000 meals for the hungry across Arizona.
Working off-hours to avoid interrupting the normal operations of the extremely busy warehouse, ATS replaced 123 fixtures – each of them requiring 451 watts of power – with new fixtures requiring just 215 watts each. The company also secured cash donations from Ahern Rentals and Rexel Electric Supply, which, combined with a $14,000 rebate from Arizona Public Service, completely covered the cost of installation.
“The warehouse is twice as bright as it was before, and we’re going to use less than half as much electricity as the old system,” said Ron Watt, general manager of the facility. “We’re very appreciative of what the people at ATS have done for us.”
The technology involved is more than seven years old, but ATS President Rob Sutton said for some reason other companies have been hesitant to embrace, not only the monthly energy savings but the rebates offered by power companies to help defray or in some cases wipe out the installation costs of the upgrades.
“It’s amazing to consider the rebates that are out there that people don’t take advantage of,” Sutton said. “There are also great federal tax credits and reductions that, in addition to the rebates, can combine to cover 100 percent of the installation costs in the first year.”
ABOUT ST. MARY’S FOOD BANK ALLIANCE: The world’s first food bank, it is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization that alleviates hunger by efficiently gathering and distributing food to 534 agencies at 700 locations that serve the hungry. Serving 13 of Arizona’s 15 counties, the organization is committed to volunteerism, building community relationships, and improving the quality of life for Arizonans in need. In fiscal year 2008-09, the food bank distributed more than 67 million pounds of food to families and individuals, provided enough food for more than 300,000 meals every day, and garnered more than 360,000 volunteer service hours. Web site: www.FirstFoodBank.org Phone: 602-352-3640.
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