(Dover) -- Efforts to make a convenience store in York County more environmentally friendly could serve as an example for more retail projects. The Dover Township store operated by Maryland-based Royal Farms has been awarded the company's first LEED certification from the U-S Green Building Council.

The rating system evaluates a building for certification based on energy and water use, material consumption and indoor environmental quality during its design, construction and operations.

Neal Fiorelli is a managing partner of green building developer Lorax Partnerships. He says even before it was certified, the Royal Farms site was working to go "green." "They were already implementing green. They already had owners, and having a building owner who's looking to really do it, and not just hang a plaque on the wall, makes the building process a little bit easier," Fiorelli says.

Fiorelli says he expects more retailers to adopt LEED certification. The Dover Royal Farms store will save 21 percent on its energy costs due to green elements like skylights. The site will serve as the model as Royal Farms works to bring 20 of its stores to LEED certification.