BP brings cleaner fuels, solar power to Orlando

Business Wire, Jan 18, 2002

Business Editors

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 2002

BP Introduces Lower Emission Premium Fuel in Orlando.

BP Connect stores give glimpse of the convenience marketing future

Consumers today received a glimpse of how BP will meet Orlando motorists' convenience needs in a manner that helps reduce air polluting emissions more environmentally friendly manner while helping reduce air pollution.

Lower-sulfur Amoco Ultimate premium gasoline is now being sold at BP and Amoco stations in the Orlando metropolitan area. BP is also installing solar-powered canopies at 40 of the new BP Connect convenience stores.

These initiatives are being launched as the Company invests $100 million in the Orlando market to build futuristic convenience stores and to retrofit existing Amoco and BP stations to BP's new green and yellow image.

Joining employees and guests at the company's new Alafaya Trail location, BP's Vice President - Retail Marketing Jack Niekamp noted that the BP is the first and only gasoline marketer to offer cleaner lower-sulfur fuels on a wide-scale basis in Florida. This new fuel, with 65% less sulfur than average Orlando premium gasoline, meets EPA specifications not required until 2006. "Our new lower-sulfur premium gasoline will reduce tailpipe emissions to the equivalent of removing more than 1,650 cars from Orlando highways on a typical commuting day," he said.

At the flagship BP Connect locations, motorists look straight up at a canopy with solar panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity, providing power to the store - enough electricity, for example, to power the pumps and the lighting. BP Connect's solar arrays in the Orlando area will collectively be the largest commercial application of photovoltaics in Florida, according to the Florida Solar Energy Center in Orlando. "As an energy company, BP is proud to be the leader in renewable solar energy in Florida," Niekamp said.

Tom Feeney, Speaker of Florida's House of Representatives, said BP is helping to improve the city's air quality. "These stores are making renewable solar energy and lower-sulfur gasoline part of Orlando's air quality solution," he said. "With air pollution always a major concern, that's good news."

Billy Raley, Vice President of Florida Power's North Central Region, said his company values the opportunity to work with BP. "It allows us to leverage new technologies and research viable and environmentally friendly ways to meet future energy needs," he said.

Globally, BP is a leading producer of solar panels and the largest private user of solar energy in the world. It has introduced lower-emission fuels to 109 markets worldwide to help reduce air pollution. "We are pleased to leverage BP's global environmental leadership to the benefit of Orlando motorists as we retrofit existing stores and build our new flagship BP Connect locations," said Niekamp.

The retrofit program calls for all Amoco and BP sites to receive BP's colors - green symbolizing environmental responsibility and yellow in the image of the sun. All sites will feature Amoco fuels, which are rated highest in quality by motorists in nationwide surveys.

"We began opening BP Connect convenience stores in May of last year, and consumers were immediately attracted to them," said Niekamp. In addition to the competitive fuel pricing, consumers are attracted by the easy-to-shop convenience stores and Wild Bean Cafes that feature upscale fresh food and gourmet coffee. In a coffee shop environment, customers can order great-tasting breads and pastries that are baked on-site, custom-made sandwiches, specialty soups, and fresh salads.

Customers also have access to online web services such as printed travel maps, weather updates, traffic reports, and store specials. "We call this 'innovative mobility'," Niekamp said. "It is all about meeting the needs of the busy consumer with time-saving convenience, exceptional food and beverages, cleaner fuels and 'e' solutions. The whole distinctive concept is around making our lives quicker and easier without sacrificing quality or value."

Fourteen of the new flagship BP Connect sites are up and running in the Orlando area, with twenty six to be added this year or next. "The $100 million investment program is not only creating short-term construction jobs, but our base-line employment level is growing from about 200 a year ago to over 1,000 two years from now," said Niekamp.

BP is the global corporate brand formed by the combination of the former British Petroleum, Amoco Corporation, Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) and Burmah Castrol. The company has been active in Florida for years under the BP and Amoco brands.