Seafreeze Cold Storage to Put the Chill on High Energy Use

Funded by Stimulus Dollars, Facility and Equipment Upgrades Will Reduce Energy Use by Equivalent of 300 Homes

Business Wire

posted: 89 DAYS AGO

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Seattle-based Seafreeze Cold Storage today announced it has been awarded a $561,000 low-interest loan to improve the energy efficiency of its 7 million cubic foot refrigerated facility in south Seattle. The facility and equipment upgrades are expected to reduce energy use by 23 percent, approximately 3 million kilowatt hours per year, which is the equivalent annual energy use of about 300 homes. The loan is part of the State of Washington’s State Energy Program (SEP), which received Federal funding through the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” (ARRA).

“This SEP loan was critical to our ability to fund the very high up-front costs of improvements and upgrades,” said Neil O’Leary, Director of Strategic Development for Seafreeze. “As a Port of Seattle tenant, we are answering Port CEO Tay Yoshitani’s call to set new standards in environmental stewardship and sustainable operations and practices. Seafreeze takes that mission seriously and we are proud to contribute to the Port’s sustainability efforts.”

Seafreeze will use the funds to implement a comprehensive set of energy efficiency measures aimed at reducing energy use and lowering operating costs at their cold storage facility. The project includes energy efficiency upgrades including installation of high speed doors to reduce cold air loss, re-piping of the facility’s engine room to lower energy loss and the installation of variable speed drivers to accommodate for changing energy needs.

“Seafreeze is a great example of a Port tenant applying the types of sustainable practices that our Port is working to advance now, and into the future,” said Mike McLaughlin, Director of Cruise and Industrial Properties for the Port of Seattle. “Green initiatives are the core focus of our ‘Century Agenda’ – the Port’s vision for the future which will be adopted as part of our 100 ^th anniversary celebrations in 2011, and we trust more companies will follow Seafreeze’s lead.”

Seafreeze currently provides family wage jobs for more than 100 employees and its tenants account for another 500 jobs on site. The significant savings on energy costs will help enable Seafreeze to remain competitive in a tight market, while also benefitting Seattle City Light by reducing demand for power and the state by helping to achieve its energy savings goals. The project leverages an additional $1.1 million in investment from Seafreeze and Seattle City Light incentives.

“We’re proud to partner with the Port and the hardworking members of the Teamsters Local 117 to look to the future and implement these upgrades. It’s a win for everyone involved,” said O’Leary.

About Seafreeze

Founded in 1978, Seafreeze is a full service, 7 million cubic foot public cold storage warehousing company located in Seattle, WA, on the working waterfront of the Port of Seattle. Seafreeze has on-site rail service and access to marine cargo carrier loading, all interstate highways, and Sea-Tac airport. The company provides valuable services to the region, including handling and storage of seafood, meat, and other frozen products. The company is a registered USDA, USDC, and FDA facility, and a US Customs Bonded Warehouse and US Customs Inspection Facility. More information is available via the web at www.seafreeze.com.