Warners' Stellian makes substantial green investment

When the stalwart Saint Paul appliance retailer, Warners' Stellian, was developing plans to build a 156,000 square foot headquarters building in the Port Authority's Great Northern Business Center two years ago, you'd think the company would look at cutting building costs to keep pace with its competitors.

You'd be wrong. The company added nearly $155,000 to improve the building's energy efficiency. Warner's Stellian's lighting controls, window glazing, motion sensor lighting, and increased cooling efficiencies will save the company about $20,000 annually in energy costs.

It will take the company nearly eight years to recoup its investment in global health. Add the one-time $33,000 cash incentive from Xcel Energy for making the energy-saving improvements and the payback period is even less.

Warners' is one of 26 businesses in recent Port business centers that, in one way or another, contributed to the environmental health of the East Metro, according to a recent Port survey of Green building and manufacturing initiatives.

"We wanted to highlight what we consider to be opportunities for growth," said Kelly Warden, Port Assistant Vice President of Property Development. "We hope this will inspire other companies in the area to do more for the environment."

Green building and manufacturing are at the forefront of the Port's 2008 redevelopment goals, she said, noting, however, that the Port has been in the business of helping clean up the environment for more than 75 years.