CVS Health signs two renewable energy agreements

CVS Health announced two agreements to purchase clean, renewable energy. By working with NRG Energy, Inc., brand Direct Energy, the company will power over 400 CVS Health locations in Texas, and through Constellation, it will power 147 CVS Health locations in Michigan.

“We continue to see the impact the environment has on our health and well-being,” said Sheryl Burke, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility and chief sustainability officer for CVS Health. “That’s why we’re focused on investing in clean, renewable energy and advancing our sustainability commitments.”

Through the Direct Energy agreement, CVS Health will purchase renewable energy credits derived from a wind facility located in Crockett County, Texas, which helps reduce emissions associated with their annual power usage. The purchase is estimated to generate more than 100,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of carbon-free electricity (CFE) per year, avoiding approximately 90 million pounds of CO₂ equivalent (CO_2e) emissions, which is equal to taking 9,084 cars off the road for one year.

CVS Health, based in Woonsocket, R.I., will also advance its sustainability efforts with Constellation by receiving energy and renewable energy certificates from Swift Current Energy’s Double Black Diamond Solar Project in downstate Illinois. The company will purchase approximately 35,000 MWh of energy per year from Double Black Diamond, which is expected to help the company reduce its carbon footprint by nearly 17,000 metric tons annually. This is the equivalent emissions of taking nearly 3,800 cars off the road for one year.

Recent investments and the first investment CVS Health made last year to power 309 locations in Illinois and Ohio with Constellation are important steps toward progress of achieving the company’s goal of sourcing 50% renewable energy by 2040.