Solar Power

Safeway is currently developing approximately two dozen solar projects across the State of California with the first located in Dublin and scheduled for completion by early September. The Company is planning to have between eight to twelve solar projects completed by year end. There are a myriad of pieces that must fit together to make solar economics work with no two projects being exactly the same. Safeway will gain experience with these projects to determine how solar power can augment the long-term energy strategy

Wind Energy

What is Wind Energy? 
Energy generated from turbine generator powered by wind.  Safeway’s wind energy comes from newly constructed wind turbine generators.  Instead of using conventionally generated electricity, which is one of the largest causes of air pollution, we use environmentally friendly wind generated power as our renewable energy electricity source.  

How much Wind Energy has Safeway purchased and what is their commitment?
Safeway has committed to purchase 87 million KWh of renewable wind energy a year through 2008.  This is enough energy to power 100% of Safeway’s 270+ Fuel Stations, our corporate facilities and all of our San Francisco and Boulder stores.  Safeway began its green power program in 2005 and is the only gasoline retailer in the U.S. to power all its fuel stations with 100% renewable wind energy.

Why is Safeway buying Wind Energy?
By reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, Safeway is taking action to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, address climate change and reduce air pollution.  For every kilowatt hour of renewable power Safeway uses, it displaces an equal amount of conventional or “brown” power and the associated pollutants.  Safeway is committed to investing in the communities we serve.  Improving the environment is one way that Safeway gives back to the community.

Where are the wind turbines located?

• San Gorgonio Pass, about 18 miles west of Palm Springs
• Montezuma Hills, Rio Vista Area in California
• Near Lamar and Springfield, Colorado
• Waymart, Pennsylvania
• Near Edgeley and Kulm, North Dakota
• Near Kennewich, Washington
• Custer County, Oklahoma
• Abilene, Texas

What impact does this energy purchase have on the environment?
Safeway’s annual purchase removes 55,000 tons of carbon dioxide, a leading greenhouse gas, from the air we breathe.  This is the same as planting 45,000 acres of trees.

How does Safeway’s green power purchase compare to other retail customers?
Safeway is the 3rd largest retail purchaser of green power in the U.S., joining the elite group of companies on the EPA Green power Partnership’s Top 25 list.

Did you know:

• The towers range from 200 – 350 feet in height
  
• Each of the three blades are 100 feet long, the same as the wing span of 747
  
• With Safeway’s wind purchase, we are removing the equivalent of 85 million pounds of carbon dioxide from the environment, which is the same as planting 11,000 acres of trees or enough electricity to power 8,000 homes for one year