Ray's earns conservation payment

Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) awarded a $30,000 Bonneville Power Administration energy conservation incentive payment to Ray's Food Place of Sisters last Friday.

The payment rewards Ray's for investing in more energy-efficient refrigeration and lighting technologies when building its new store, completed in November 2008.

It reflects the portion of the project costs BPA paid as an incentive for Ray's to purchase more costly - but more energy-efficient-equipment. The installed measures are expected to save approximately 621,674 kilowatt-hours annually over less efficient refrigeration and lighting equipment. That's enough electricity to serve the annual needs of 35 residential CEC members.

"We have already seen our energy savings improve compared to the old store, and the new facility is twice its size," said Jeff McDonald, store manager for Ray's. "This program is important to our ability to use energy more efficiently and lower our operating costs, all benefits that help us provide our customers with competitive prices."

CEC Energy Services Supervisor Vern Rice and Senior Account Executive Doug Ertner presented the incentive check to McDonald at Ray's.