J.C. Penney honored for energy management

Plano, Texas J.C. Penney was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy with the Energy Star Award for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management.

“J.C. Penney’s leadership on energy efficiency has positively impacted their bottom line and our global environment, showing us all what can be accomplished through sustained commitment and action,” said Kathleen Hogan, director of the climate protection partnerships division at the U.S. EPA.

Using the data and tools available through the Energy Star program, J.C. Penney has improved energy efficiency throughout its operations. In 2008, the company reduced energy use and comparable CO2 emissions across its building portfolio by more than 80 million lbs.

In addition, construction is under way in Fairview, Texas, on the chain’s first store expected to obtain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The company is also exploring renewable-energy projects. Nine stores are currently hosting rooftop solar-power installations, and a pilot wind-power project is being installed at one distribution center.

J.C. Penney has invested more than $100 million in the past six years to install energy-management technology, lighting retrofits and high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in its stores. More than 800 stores are now equipped with an energy-management system that provides remote monitoring of the store’s electrical and mechanical systems, schedules the operation of lighting and HVAC equipment, monitors store comfort levels and identifies opportunities for saving energy.