Bob Barman operates the Highland Chevron gas station and ExtraMile convenience store in Beaverton, OR. And according to the Oregonian, he's taken energy efficiency for his business to a new level.

Of course he sells the usual variety of convenience store beverages and snacks, but he's transformed his business into a power plant that actually produces as much electricity as it consumes. The energy advocates call it "net zero," and Beaverton's mayor proclaimed that it's "the most sustainable station in America."

According to the Oregonian, much of what works there is out of sight. Nature quietly keeps the lights bright and the coolers full of frigid soda and energy drinks.

More than 180 solar panels on top of the pump station canopy and store roof,gather enough sunlight to meet about a third of a typical gas station's electricity needs.

In addition, the station uses only a third of the wattage of others that also have 24-hour stores, thanks to two more features seldom found at a neighborhood gas station.

A geothermal well plunges 426 feet below ground, exchanging heat through groundwater. Naturally cool water helps run the Extra Mile's bank of refrigerators. Water pipes gather heat that cooling units extract and store it far underground as hot water.

High efficiency LED fixtures are used in almost every light in the building and the system is running so well that the business has built up a credit with the local utility company, Portland General Electric, for pumping surplus electricity back into the grid.

Barman has even installed an electric vehicle charging station and it's free. He said he invested $500,000 for the environmental features and that because of that investment he qualified for $192,000 in tax credits for energy efficient installations. He says he did it simply because "it was the right thing to do".

It's good business and it's good for the environment. Barman said he hopes more station owners consider this approach.