EVANSTON, Ill., November 21, 2013 - Sporting two wind turbines, nearly 850 solar panels and a geothermal system burrowed 550 feet into the ground, Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) today celebrates the official opening of what is believed to be the nation’s first net zero energy retail store, anticipated to produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes.
Located at 635 Chicago Ave. in Evanston, Ill., the store opens to the public at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, following store tours for invited guests by the Walgreens sustainability team and a ribbon cutting by Walgreens executives, government dignitaries and sustainability advocates.
“As we celebrate the grand opening, we begin a one-year effort to operate a retail store that will generate more energy than it consumes. Using the best technologies available, we believe we can accomplish our goal of having the first net zero energy retail store in America,” said Mark Wagner, Walgreens president of operations and community management. “Currently, we have facilities that utilize wind turbines, solar installations and geothermal technologies. This is the first time we are bringing all three of these technologies and many more together in one place. Our purpose as a company is to help people get, stay and live well, and that includes making our planet more livable by conserving resources and reducing pollution.”
Walgreens plans to generate electricity and reduce its energy usage in the store by more than 50 percent through several technologies including:
- nearly 850 roof-top solar panels, generating enough energy to power 30 Illinois homes for a year;
- two 35-foot-tall wind turbines, using Lake Michigan breezes to generate enough power to offset annual greenhouse gas emissions from 2.2 passenger vehicles;
- geothermal energy obtained by drilling 550 feet into the ground below the store, where temperatures are more constant and can be tapped to heat or cool the store in winter and summer;
- LED lighting and daylight harvesting;
- carbon dioxide refrigerant for heating, cooling and refrigeration equipment;
- and energy efficient building materials.
Engineering estimates -- which can vary due to factors such as weather, store operations and systems performance -- indicate that the store will use 200,000 kilowatt hours per year of electricity while generating 220,000 kilowatt hours per year.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said, “I am proud that an Illinois-based corporation like Walgreens is taking the lead in the use of green technology, which will be a model for all retail operations across the country. The best energy sources are free, renewable and have little environmental impact – and that’s exactly what Walgreens is doing in Evanston.”
“Evanston is thrilled to celebrate the opening of the new Walgreens on Chicago Avenue and is pleased to welcome the nations’ first net zero energy retail store to Evanston,” said Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl. Anticipating a possible platinum certification from the U. S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design program, Tisdahl added, “By delivering a LEED Platinum building, Walgreens has exceeded Evanston’s green building goals and is a strong partner in our commitment to sustainable development and responsible use of natural resources. The new Walgreens store is a model for green building innovation and will serve as an excellent demonstration of next generation technologies and forward thinking eco-leadership.”
Thomas Connolly, Walgreens vice president of facilities development, said, “We are investing in a net-zero energy store so we can bring what we learn to our other stores and share what we learn with other companies. Because we operate more than 8,000 stores, anything we do that reduces our carbon footprint can have a broad, positive impact on the nation’s environment.”
The store is seeking platinum certification through the U.S. Green Building Council LEED program, Net Zero Certification through the Living Building Challenge, and has received GreenChill platinum certification through the U.S. EPA. GreenChill’s Store Certification Program was designed for supermarkets, and this is the first time a GreenChill certification is being awarded to a small-format store, such as a convenience store or pharmacy.
“EPA’s GreenChill Program is very pleased to award a platinum-level certification to the Evanston, Illinois Walgreens store for its state-of-the-art refrigeration and air-conditioning system,” said Sarah Dunham, director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs.
Over the past year, Walgreens engineers have worked with the city of Evanston and vendors, including Trane, CREE Lighting, Acuity Lighting, Cooper Lighting, CalStar Products, GE Lighting, GI Energy, SoCore Energy, Osman Construction, Wing Power Energy and Camburas and Theodore Architects.
The project is the latest of many green initiatives for the company. Walgreens currently operates two stores that have achieved a LEED certification level of gold; 150 stores utilizing solar power; a store in Oak Park, Ill., using geothermal energy; a distribution center in Waxahachie, Texas, that generates energy though the use of wind; and 400 locations with electric vehicle charging stations. Walgreens stores use 25 watt fluorescent lamps (lowest wattage in the industry), LED cooler and freezer lighting and energy management systems in more than 5,000 locations. In addition, 15 Walgreens distribution centers have achieved net zero waste, which means revenues from recycling exceed waste expense.
The Evanston location also showcases the new Walgreens “Well Experience” store format with features that include an enhanced, state-of-the-art pharmacy designed to encourage greater interaction between pharmacists and patients. At the core of the Well Experience format is an effort to bring the pharmacist out from behind the counter so they can provide more counseling to patients, offer clinical services and answer questions. The pharmacy also features an “Ask Your Pharmacist” desk, consultation rooms and an Express Rx kiosk for swift checkout.
The store will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The pharmacy will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To follow the new store’s journey to achieve net zero status and the company’s other green initiatives, visit the Net Zero Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walgreens-Net-Zero-Community/.
(Note to editors: downloadable high-resolution video and photographs will be available at http://news.walgreens.com/Net+Zero+store/)
About PURE Walgreens
Walgreens corporate sustainability program, “PURE Walgreens – For the health and wellness of our planet,” focuses on helping customers get, stay and live well through innovative leadership in corporate sustainability. In support of “People Using Resources Efficiently,” PURE Walgreens programs focus on making Walgreens a leader in resource conservation, carbon emissions reduction and waste diversion.
About Walgreens
As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2013 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to be the first choice in health and daily living for everyone in America, and beyond. Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 8,131 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers, provider practices, and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 750 locations throughout the country.
Walgreens
Emily Hartwig, 847-315-3316
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