Petco Honored by SDG&E as Energy Champion

SAN DIEGO, June 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 10 at the 11^th Annual San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Energy Showcase event, Petco was honored by SDG&E for its remarkable results in energy efficiency and conservation. Petco, a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services, was awarded a Grand Energy Champion Award for its dedication to energy sustainability at its national support center located in San Diego.

The 300,000-square-foot, pet-friendly facility was a former semi-conductor plant that expanded and relocated Petco's support center from multiple buildings to one. The energy-efficient building increases employee interaction and productivity — allowing for better team building through the use of common spaces throughout the building.

Now home to about 650 Petco partners, the facility was built with the support of SDG&E's Savings by Design program, which helps commercial construction projects get an early start on energy efficiency. More than 75 skylights and nearly 3,000 solar panels on the roof produces an 86 percent energy offset, provides ample natural lighting throughout the campus and allows the building's lighting systems to run at only half capacity.

"Petco's two key goals when we started this project were to use the least amount of energy possible for our needs and to minimize the long-term impact it has on the environment," said Charlie Piscitello, Petco's Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer, "Our company, our people, our culture and this wonderful facility are all a reflection of our commitment to our vision of healthier pets, happier people and better world."

Throughout the construction process, about 85 percent of all demolition materials were recycled, and eco-friendly materials were used whenever possible. Inside, the Petco Café uses highly efficient appliances to cook and prepare food for Petco's partners. Outside, rain and runoff water flows through landscape elements around the building and parking lot that filter water through soil sediments. In return, water evaporates, instead of draining and polluting the ocean. The building's energy efficiency is further accented by drought tolerant landscaping and electric car charging stations for employee use.

"The energy efficient upgrades that these forward-thinking customers have implemented this past year are commendable, and we look forward to continuing to work with our customers to help them achieve their sustainability goals," said Caroline Winn, chief energy delivery officer for SDG&E. "The energy industry is changing rapidly and we are committed to improving the way energy is delivered by utilizing new, smart technologies that benefit all of our customers, whether in your home or at your business."

SDG&E offers its business customers solutions to manage and save energy including energy rebates, demand response programs, free onsite energy-efficiency assessments and zero-interest financing programs.  To take advantage of the money-saving programs made available to SDG&E customers, call 800-411-7343, or visit sdge.com/good4biz. 

For more information about Petco and its San Diego-based national support center, visit about.petco.com.

About Petco and the Petco Foundation

With more than 50 years of service to pet parents, Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that focuses on nurturing powerful relationships between people and pets. We do this by providing the products, services, advice and experiences that keep pets physically fit, mentally alert, socially engaged and emotionally happy. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,430 Petco locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including more than 115 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop; prescription services and pet supplies from the leading veterinary-operated pet product supplier, Drs. Foster & Smith; and petco.com. The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has invested more than $135 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 400,000 animals every year.

Contact: Lisa Stark, [email protected]

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SOURCE Petco