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Walgreens Sets Goal to Build Nation’s First Net Zero Energy Retail Store in Evanston, Ill.
By utilizing solar panels, wind turbines and geothermal technology, engineers anticipate the new store will
produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes
DEERFIELD, Ill., March 7, 2013 – Walgreens today announced plans to build what the
company believes will be the nation’s first net zero energy retail store, which engineers predict will
produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes. Walgreens plans to achieve that by utilizing solar
panels, wind turbines, geothermal technology, energy-efficient building materials, LED lighting and
ultra-high-efficiency refrigeration.
“We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and leading the retail industry in use of
green technology,” said Thomas Connolly, Walgreens vice president of facilities development. “We are
investing in developing a net-zero store so we can learn the best way to bring these features to our other
stores. Because we operate 8,000 stores, we believe our pursuit of green technology can have a significant
positive impact on the nation’s environment.”
The store will be located in Evanston, Ill., at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Keeney
Street, where demolition of an existing Walgreens store now is under way. The Chicago-area location
will allow convenient access for Walgreens engineers based at the company’s headquarters in Deerfield,
Ill., to measure the store’s performance for an entire year to determine if the store reaches its goal of net
zero energy use.
Walgreens plans to generate electricity and reduce its usage by more than 40 percent through
several technologies in the store including:
•
more than 800 roof-top solar panels,
•
two wind turbines,
•
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 256,000 kilowatt hours per year.
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,
Geothermal International, SoCore Energy, Wing Power and Camburas and Theodore Architects.
“This planned building development reflects the City of Evanston’s ongoing commitment to the
constant improvement of sustainable practices in the natural and built environment and will serve as an
excellent example of how responsible development and the environment can be harmoniously combined,”
said Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl. “Green building is important to Evanston as it is good for
business, good for the environment, good for our health and essential to our future. We are honored that
Walgreens has chosen our community to build the nation’s first net zero energy retail store that will be
LEED certified as well.”
Walgreens will attempt to have the store achieve LEED Platinum status, which is the most
stringent green designation by the U. S. Green Building Council, and plans to enter the store into the
International Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge. The store will be Walgreens second
showcase project in the Department of Energy Better Buildings Challenge. Through the Better
Buildings Challenge, Walgreens has committed to a chain wide 20 percent energy reduction by 2020.
“Partners in the Better Buildings Challenge are leading by example, showing firsthand how
energy efficient buildings save money by saving energy,” said David Danielson, assistant secretary for
energy efficiency and renewable energy at the Department of Energy. “The investments made through
the Better Buildings Challenge are helping to cut energy waste while saving millions in energy costs,
creating jobs nationwide and helping to position the United States to lead in the global economy.”
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 and certified; 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.
To follow the new store’s two-year 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-NetZero-Community/141953242640364?fref=ts
About PURE Walgreens
The company’s 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 2012 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens
(www.walgreens.com) vision is to become America’s first choice for health and daily living. 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 8,071 drugstores in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the
largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient
care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
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forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
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of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
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or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except to the extent
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forward-looking statement after the initial distribution of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events,
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