Kohl’s is Green Power Partner of the Year for third consecutive year

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. was recognized with its third Green Power Partner of the Year Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Center for Resource Solutions. The chain is the first retailer to be named Partner of the Year for three consecutive years.



In 2011, Kohl's purchased 1.4 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) of renewable energy, offsetting more than 100% of the company's purchased electricity use. The company joined EPA's Green Power Partnership in 2006 and made an initial purchase of more than 80 million kwh of renewable energy credits in 2007.



"Recognition as Green Power Partner of the Year demonstrates Kohl's leadership in the use and support of renewable energy as part of our commitment to being an environmentally responsible retailer," said John Worthington, Kohl's chief administrative officer. "In 2011, Kohl's strengthened its commitment to the use and support of green power by increasing our total green power purchase by more than 52 million kilowatt-hours and purchasing enough green power to offset the purchased electricity requirements for each of our 39 new stores that opened in 2011. We were also pleased to add 16 new solar locations this year in addition to our first two wind locations, and we continue to explore additional opportunities to expand our green power and energy efficiency initiatives."



Purchase of renewable energy credits is one key component of Kohl's ongoing efforts to implement strategies that encourage long-term resource sustainability. Other key initiatives include a companywide commitment to recycling and waste reduction, environmentally responsible building design, construction and operation, supply chain and transportation initiatives, stakeholder engagement and a strong commitment to energy efficiency.



Currently, the company operates more than 100 solar locations in nine states and has more than 650 Energy Star labeled locations - more than half of the company's stores and more than any other department store. Since fall 2008, Kohl's has also committed to building all new, ground-up stores according to LEED pre-certified prototypes and has most recently earned LEED Gold precertification for its new and existing new store prototypes from the U.S. Green Building Council. To date, Kohl's has more than 200 LEED-certified locations nationwide.