ALTOONA, Pa. — Convenience-store retailer Sheetz Inc. has forged a long-term renewable supply agreement with Constellation, a supplier of clean energy solutions, to power two-thirds or nearly 70% of its Pennsylvania facilities with renewable energy.
With Sheetz’s commitment, Constellation has entered into separate long-term power purchase agreements to procure a total of 55 megawatts of renewable energy. The companies expect solar projects, which will be developed in Pennsylvania, to begin commercial operation by January 2024.
Sheetz will receive approximately 110 million kilowatt hours of energy per year from the long-term power purchase agreements, with that energy matched by Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) sourced from renewable facilities throughout the United States. Each REC represents the positive environmental attributes of one megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated by a renewable power plant. The RECs from the in-development solar projects are not included in this agreement.
The agreement will help Sheetz avoid nearly 78,000 metric tons of carbon emissions associated with its energy use annually, the companies said. It is the equivalent of taking nearly 17,000 cars off the road, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates cited by Constellation.
“Sheetz is dedicated to being a responsible steward of our environment,” said Travis Sheetz, president and CEO of Sheetz. “Through this purchase agreement and partnership with Constellation, Sheetz will be able to power more than 160 stores and approximately 40 other facilities with renewable energy, significantly reducing our environmental impact in Pennsylvania.”
Sheetz will use a solution that builds off of the Constellation Offsite Renewables (CORe) retail power product, which enables the development of and increases businesses’ access to renewable energy projects by removing the hurdles associated with traditional offsite power purchase agreements (PPAs). By combining the contracting and aggregation process of CORe with the commitment and involvement from sustainability-minded companies, Constellation can offer more customers the ability to demonstrate their support of large-scale, offsite renewable energy projects, it said.
“Having worked with Sheetz for several years, it’s clear that this is a company that is steadfast in its commitment to understanding, and ultimately reducing, its carbon footprint,” said Jim McHugh, chief commercial officer of Constellation. “We’re pleased to help Sheetz implement a clean energy solution that will contribute to its broader sustainability goals while introducing new and significant renewable supply to the Pennsylvania region.”
Sheetz has taken significant steps in support of its mission to reduce its overall effect on the environment, including:
- Energy-saving solutions. Implementing LED lighting, high-efficiency HVAC, alternative refrigerants and advanced building automation systems at new and existing locations.
- Alternative fuels. Offering DC fast charging for electric vehicles (EVs) at more than 75 locations across six states.
- Food donations. Partnering with Feeding America to donate leftover food from its stores to individuals who struggle with hunger in the communities it serves.
- Waste reduction. Sheetz recycles plastic, metal, glass and paper at 371 stores throughout its footprint where recycling services are available.
- Environmental organizations. Sheetz supports Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful (KPAB) and its Great American Cleanup initiative.
Representing Sheetz, Amerex Energy Services, Sugar Land, Texas, worked with Constellation to design and implement this renewable product structure.
Constellation is a producer of carbon-free energy and a retail supplier of power and energy products and services for homes and businesses across the United States. Based in Baltimore, its generation fleet powers more than 20 million homes and businesses and is helping to accelerate the nation’s transition to clean energy with more than 32,400 megawatts of capacity and annual output that is 90% carbon-free, it said. Constellation has set a goal to eliminate 100% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 by leveraging innovative technology and enhancing its diverse mix of hydro, wind and solar resources paired with its carbon-free nuclear fleet. Constellation’s family of retail businesses serves approximately 2 million residential, public sector and business customers.
- Sheetz is No. 14 on CSP’s 2021 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-stores by number of stores.
Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz operates more than 640 convenience stores throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.
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