SeeingGreen ™

There aren’t too many gas stations worthy of a post on a blog about sustainable living. However, this past summer while zooming down I-5, the following dialogue ensued over the roar of the stereo. “Look, there’s an ecoroof,” I said with my usual glee about seeing (something) green. “It’s on a convenience store,” replied Co-pilot. And then in unison, “At a gas station!”

Making a note of the exit number (#189 off I-5 South), we vowed to return on our way back to fill up and make sure we weren’t just seeing a mirage. Sure enough, the convenience store does sport live plants, also known as an ecoroof. But the green features don’t stop there. The “natural convenience store” (seen above) is more like a food co-op, complete with healthy treats, coffee and locally made food to go.

Then there’s the shelter for the fueling station. It’s constructed entirely of energy-generating solar panels! There’s also a bioswale that helps filter and manage storwmater on site and information kiosks that explain everything, including how much energy the solar panels are generating in real time. To top it all off, the fuel station sells all blends of biodiesel and ethanol, meaning that no matter what car you drive you can do your part to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and support Oregon’s blossoming biofuel industry.

SeQuential’s Biofuel Retail Station
86714 McVay Hwy
Eugene, OR