Greenest Supermarket In U.S. Opening In Augusta

AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER) -- Hannaford Bros. is set to open the 'greenest' grocery store in the country this Saturday.

Hannaford says the the nearly 50,000 square foot building is the first in the country to receive the U.S. Green Building Council's top award.

A section of the store's roof is covered with drought-resistant plants to help with water runoff and insulation.

Natural daylight is utilized througout the store. There are doors on nearly all freezer and refrigerated cases designed to save energy.

The store's refrigeration systems use 50% less energy, energy that will heat the entire store.

The building will serve as a learning laboratory to see if green technology will be used in other stores.

"There is a lot to learn from this store and something we can spread out and we are already thing about for exsisting stores," said Ron Hodge, the CEO of Hannaford.

The store cost 20% more than a typical store to construct, but the company says prices will stay competitive. The store, located on the former athletic fields of Cony High School is scheduled to open Saturday morning.