Yes, they really exist. Since around 2001, a handful of “green” gas stations have started springing up, boasting one degree or another of environmental consciousness. Opinion seems to be equally divided on whether these pioneering efforts are cynical attempts at “greenwashing”, the beginnings of a genuine trend to make filling stations cleaner, or some kind of strange, oxymoronic curiosity (after all, what could be more ironic than a “green” store whose chief product is widely regarding as the leading contributor to global warming?).

Chief among the contenders for the “greenwashing” prize are BP’s Helios House. This futuristic environmental showplace has all the green bells and whistles. Built in 2007, it is the world’s first LEED (Gold) certified fuel center, and was reportedly intended as a “living lab where we can try out ideas for new stations”. However, it is notable that they built it in one of the trendier areas of LA, and have seemingly forgotten about it since—they have made no further public mention of migrating any of the practices tested in their “living lab” to the ordinary run of BP stations (even the inexpensive proven cost savers like automatic dimmers, LED lighting, and CFLs). Nor do they seem to have any interest in building more LEED gas stations, or in encouraging franchisees towards LEED compliance.

Or we can look at Dubai, where the national mania for conspicuous consumption seems to be taking on a green tint.

Recently, however, there appear to be a growing number of apparently serious, grassroots efforts to build greener gas stations. They (forgive the pun) are springing up all over: Eugene and Beaverton in Oregon, Florida, and South Carolina.

Even some larger corporations, like Giant Eagle, are getting serious about green and pursuing certification for not only their stores, but for GetGo fuel centers.

Some of the most innovative sites showcase not only green buildings, but also alternative fuels and even organic food: (Green Spot, Planet Ozone, or The Green Station).

So let’s look at the question again. Does it make sense to expend effort in “greening” the Gas Station? Or would our time and money be better spent seeking to reduce or eliminate our dependence on petrochemicals overall? The politically correct environmental mantra is of course “Reduce! Reuse! Eliminate!” fossil fuels, and clearly, it’s a laudable to pursue alternative energy, public transit, and people-powered transport to promote a healthier environment and a healthier life.

However, I think we need a little pragmatism here. Since Bertha Benz fueled up the first automobile in the first filling station back in 1888, the world has fallen in love with personal transportation. Most of the world’s infrastructure is designed for, or around, automobiles. They aren’t going away. Even as we move away from petroleum power and towards (debatably) greener fuel sources like biodiesel, synthetic gas, electric power, or fuel cells, we will still need places to refuel our personal transports. There are already more than 160,000 such locations in the United States alone, and the number continues to grow.

Like it or not, these facilities are visited weekly (or more frequently) by a substantial fraction of the population of the US. In fact, many people visit the gas station more frequently than the grocery store (hence the proliferation of gas station convenience stores). Viewed from this angle, what kind of education could be provided to the general public by encouraging the incorporation of LEED standards (and the accompanying promotional materials) into gas stations everywhere? Makes the idea of a “green” gas station seem a little less laughable, doesn’t it?