BALTIMORE, Md. -- Royal Farms' Dover, Pa., store recently became the convenience store chain's first location to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The retailer has committed to LEED certifying all of its eligible locations over time.

"The extra effort that went into this particular site will serve as the building block that will enable us to construct future stores that are LEED certified and reflects our commitment to the environment and to the communities we serve," Royal Farms President John Kemp said of the 5,000-square-foot store located at 3120 Carlisle Rd. "Cindy Deken, our director of construction and facilities, deserves special recognition for spearheading this project and seeing it through to completion."

To receive LEED certification, a building is evaluated during its design and construction, as well as its use once opened based on energy performance, water efficiency, material consumption, indoor environmental quality and integration with its location.

Royal Farms currently has 20 more stores in the process of achieving LEED certification, according to a company announcement. They include a three-story office and retail building, located on Charles Street in Baltimore, Md., which is scheduled to open later this year.

"Royal Farm's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council. "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Royal Farms serves as a prime example [of] just how much we can accomplish."

The Mid-Atlantic U.S. chain owns and operates 132 convenience stores in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia. It plans to commemorate its first LEED certification by holding a certification ceremony and press conference this Wednesday, Aug. 3, at the Dover store.