Ill. governor tours nearby green Walgreens

DEERFIELD, Ill. — As part of Earth Month in Illinois, Gov. Patrick Quinn Tuesday morning toured a Walgreens drug store in Oak Park that features the first geothermal energy system used in a chain drug store in the country, Walgreens stated in a release.

The system, which went live when the store opened last October, has reduced the store's expected energy usage by 60%. "We are proud to showcase our commitment to the environment here in Oak Park with Gov. Quinn," said Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson, who accompanied the governor on the store tour. "Geothermal energy is an important way we can reduce our carbon footprint, and through the innovative, sustainable design of this store, we have made it a reality."

The store also features a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station, which can add up to 25 miles of range per hour of charge. Working with 350Green, Walgreens plans to install charging stations at about 30 additional Chicago-area stores beginning this summer. The company already has initiated charging station installments across the Houston and Dallas markets.

"For our customers with electric vehicles, we will offer some of the area's best corners to help give people the confidence to drive longer distances while having access to charging stations," Wasson said.