Discounter details its wide-ranging energy initiatives
Target Corp. is deploying a number of solutions to reduce its energy use.
The retailer, recently named Energy Star Partner of the Year for the second year in a row, counts more than 1,400 of its buildings as having Energy Star status — the Environmental Protection Agency’s certification of energy efficiency — more than any other retailer. And the number is still growing as Target works towards its goal of having at least 80% of its buildings certified by 2020.
Target recently detailed its energy initiatives in a story on its web site. Here is a recap:
A typical certified Target store saves enough energy each year to power 100 homes! Check out a few standout features at some of our top Energy Star locations:
• The chain has installed more than 370,000 low-wattage LED light fixtures in stores across the country that reduce total electricity usage by an average of 10%.
• More than 350 Target locations have rooftop solar installations, which produce enough energy to offset 15% to 40% of the stores’ energy. The goal is to have 500 buildings with solar installations by 2020.
• As a member of the EPA’s GreenChill program, Target is introducing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-free refrigerants in its food distribution centers (FDC) and in-store refrigerated display cases. Currently, all of its FDC cold storage areas use HFC-free refrigerants and it has HFC-free refrigerated display cases in nearly 600 stores. The units are not only up to 50% more efficient than the ones they replaced), but they also eliminate greenhouse gasses that are thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
• The chain recently embarked on its first wind power partnership, investing in the 211-megawatt Stephens Ranch Wind Project, and offsetting 100% of the energy used at 60 local stores.
• Eight Target stores in the Chicago area were built with green roofs, featuring plantings and vegetation that soak up access rainwater, absorb heat and reduce pollution.
For the complete story, click here.