Gas Stations Are Getting Greener (NAPSA)—When thinking about “green” companies, the local gas station may not be thefirst thing that comes to mind. However, some gasoline retailers are stepping uptheirefforts to help minimize their impact on the environment. For example, one CITGO Even the introduction of native plants in a station’s landscaping can cut water costs and help the environment. These types of changes not only lower the impact on the environment, but can also save local retailers thousands of dollars per retailer, Dave Welch, of Deerfield, Ill., has already taken positive year on energy and water bills. Welch’s station expects to see energy savings of approximately 20 percent annually. environmentally friendly upgrades Simple energy-efficient upgrades can help gas stations save steps to operate more cheaply and cleanly. His energy-efficient and have earned him the Green Business League’s first green certification in the U.S. for a gas station. money and help protect the environment. @D marketers and retailers, CITGO wants to help other retailers benefit from these positive results. Working with the Green Busi- to the types of products used at Working one on one with local Simple, conscientious changes stations, including paints and lead, CITGO has developed list cleaning supplies, can makea difference on the local ecosystem. For example, water-based paints, like those used by CITGO, are locally owned stations can make ment than oil-based paints. ness League andfollowing Welch’s of changes that its nearly 7,000 to help their own operations be more energy efficient, economical and environmentally friendly— important attributes considered by many consumerstodayin their purchasing decisions. For example, to lower energy costs, the company recommendsinstallation of timers for heating, air-conditioning and refrigerators to limit unnecessary electricity use. Updating lighting to energy-efficient bulbs and introducing motion sensors on soap and towel dispensers can also reduce waste. much less harmful to the environCITGO is so committed to this effort that the company’s environmental standards for paint far surpass those of the government. Protecting the environment is a core value of CITGO, one thatis based on the underlying principles of social developmentandsol- idarity held by its shareholder, Petrleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.
