Kohl's reaches 500th Energy Star store milestone

Menomonee Falls, Wis. Kohl’s Department Stores said Thursday that a hometown store has become the department store retailer’s 500th location to earn the Energy Star label from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.

The 500th store, located in Menomonee Falls, Wis., is a culmination of Kohl’s longstanding commitment to energy management. The retailer estimates that it prevented nearly $50 million in electricity costs through lighting and HVAC efficiencies and through energy-efficient building systems.

Kohl’s said that over the last four years -- accounting for rate variations -- it has seen energy improvements of more than 20%.

Kohl’s also announced Thursday that beginning in spring 2011, all newly constructed stores will pursue Designed to Earn the Energy Star designation, which is awarded for building designs with an estimated energy performance that meets Energy Star criteria.

Five Kohl’s stores in 2010 have already received the Designed to Earn designation.

“Reaching the milestone of our 500th Energy Star store is exciting for our company and our associates. We are building on our commitment to drive energy efficiency companywide as we continue to near our goal of being carbon neutral,” said Ken Bonning, Kohl’s EVP store planning and logistics. “Energy management is an ongoing effort, and Designed to Earn designation for newly constructed stores will help us continue to achieve the high environmental standards we have in place for our facilities.”

Kohl’s was named a 2010 Energy Star Partner of the Year. The retailer operates more Energy Star-labeled stores than any other department store with nearly half of its stores earning the designation.