public relations | Public affairs About Us Our Team Our Work Clients In The News contact
  Go Back To Home Page    
 
 
 
   

Safeway Opens Its First Biodiesel Fuel Station in the U.S. at Their West Seattle Location

  • Seattle selected as test market site for Safeway as it explores alternative fuel sales

SEATTLE, WA — February 21, 2007

Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) today announced that Seattle will be its first test market for biodiesel retail sales. Following their announcement, biodiesel sales began immediately at its West Seattle store and may be included in future plans at two other proposed fuel centers within the City of Seattle.

“Conserving our nation's valuable energy resources is something that Safeway and our customers care deeply about,” said Greg Sparks, president of Safeway’s Seattle Division. “Safeway is proud to be able to offer an alternative fuel for our customers in Seattle. Selecting this area to test market biodiesel fuel was a natural for us as Seattle - and Washington State as a whole - continues to lead the nation when it comes to encouraging and accepting alternative energy and fuel options.”

The new biodiesel station is located at 4115 SW Admiral Way in West Seattle and will have two biodiesel pumps, each with four nozzles. The company also may add biodiesel to fuel centers proposed at two other Seattle locations.

The biodiesel available at the West Seattle fuel center is called SoyPOWER®; - it runs in all diesel engines. The fuel centers will sell B20 biodiesel, which blends 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent petroleum diesel. The biodiesel comes from soy grown in Iowa by the Iowa-based producer Renewable Energy Group (REG). Tacoma-based SC Fuels, which is the largest biodiesel storage and distribution company in the state, will be the sole distributor.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels was also in attendance at the event to commemorate the opening of Seattle’s first national retailer-owned biodiesel fuel station.

“With the addition of biofuels at its West Seattle location, Safeway is taking a bold step toward helping our city, state and country become less dependent on fossil fuels alone,” said Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. “Safeway is leading by example and setting a standard for environmental partnership.”

Today’s announcement adds to Safeway’s growing commitment to protecting the environment and conserving our nation's valuable energy resources.  Beginning in 2005, the company purchased 100 percent renewable energy to power its 270 fuel stations in the United States including its 15 stores in San Francisco and the Safeway corporate campuses in Pleasanton and Walnut Creek, California.

About Safeway

Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,767 stores in the United States and Canada and had annualized sales of $39.7 billion for the period ended September 9, 2006. The company's common stock in traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY. Safeway's Seattle Division operates 200 stores in Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.

BACK TO TOP