Monday, December 5, 2011

Ameren Helps DOT Foods Slash Energy Consumption

Mt. Sterling, Ill. (Dec. 5, 2011) – Today, the Ameren Illinois ActOnEnergy® program announced Dot Foods has slashed its energy usage by an amount equal to the electricity used by 400 residential customers in a year.

“Through their actions, Dot Foods is demonstrating what it means to be an energy efficiency leader,” said Cheryl A. Miller, ActOnEnergy business program manager.

Founded in 1960 by Robert Tracy with the support of his wife Dorothy, Dot Foods has grown to become the nation’s largest food redistributor. Dot Foods offers more than 100,000 products in all 50 states.

“We are pleased Dot Foods has teamed with ActOnEnergy to achieve their energy efficiency goals. To date, they have received about $284,000 in ActOnEnergy incentives,” Miller said.

Miller explained that Dot Foods has completed more than 10 energy efficiency projects in partnership with ActOnEnergy. These include high-efficiency lighting and refrigeration projects.

“We appreciate the opportunity to participate with Ameren Illinois, in reducing energy consumption. Their staff has been instrumental and easy to work with,” said John Long, Dot Foods senior vice president of warehousing.

“Dot is committed to continued pursuit of opportunities that are good for our business, our employees, & our communities,” Long said.

“We have been striving to reduce out kilowatt-hours, as this is a positive for our business, as well as our carbon footprint,” said Nader Khalil, Dot Foods corporate engineer manager.

“Partnering with Ameren Illinois ActOnEnergy has helped Dot Foods implement energy efficiency technologies, such as lighting upgrades, insulated freezer doors and refrigeration technology, which resulted in a one-year reduction of kilowatt-hours per cubic feet of 15.4 percent,” Khalil said.

Miller said a total of $18 million in ActOnEnergy incentives is available for business energy efficiency projects completed between June 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. Applications are now being accepted.

Since ActOnEnergy was launched in 2008, the amount of annual business incentive dollars has grown from $3 million to $18 million. The energy efficiency program is funded through a small charge, Rider EDR, on customer electric bills and Rider GER on customer natural gas bills. This charge is mandated by state law.

ActOnEnergy offers incentive programs and advice for businesses of all sizes and types. Complete business program information is available at ActOnEnergy.com, by calling 1-866-800-0747 or by sending an e-mail to ActOnEnergyBusiness@ameren.com.

In addition to the business programs, ActOnEnergy offers incentives and rebates to residential customers. For more information on residential programs, visit ActOnEnergy.com, call 1-866-838-6918 or send an e-mail to: ActOnEnergyResidential@ameren.com.

Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 813,000 natural gas customers in downstate Illinois, and our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com.

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