J.C. Penney Accelerates Energy-Saving Initiatives

Plano, Texas, J.C. Penney announced on Tuesday that its new store in Denver will serve as a pilot for sustainable-building development.

The store, located in The Shops at Northfield Stapleton, Forest City Enterprises’ LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified shopping center, is scheduled to open Oct.5.

“We conducted a top-to-bottom review of our store-construction process and equipment to determine where we could operate more efficiently without diminishing the comfort and convenience of customers and associates while maintaining reasonable costs," said Michael Dastugue, J.C. Penney senior VP and director of property development. "Our new Denver store is the product of those findings. We will closely review the performance of our new sustainable building features in that location as we look to incorporate them into new stores and store-renovation plans in the future."

J.C. Penney’s Denver location will include such eco-friendly features as exterior signs with low-wattage LED lights, occupancy sensors to control lights in offices, restrooms, dressing rooms and stock rooms, and low and no-consumption plumbing fixtures. It will be equipped with a high-efficiency HVAC system; reflective, R20-rated insulating white-roof system; and high-efficiency lighting.

Additionally, the retailer said it will pursue LEED certification for two stores opening in 2008 and 2009.

Earlier this year, J.C. Penney was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a 2007 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Energy Management, becoming the first retailer to receive an ENERGY STAR Partner award for energy-management efforts.