Kohl’s honored by EPA for long-term commitment to environment

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores was honored with the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2012 Energy Star Award for Sustained Excellence at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes Kohl’s long-term commitment to protecting the environment through energy efficiency initiatives. Kohl’s was recognized by EPA in 2010 and 2011 as an Energy Star Partner of the Year, and in 2011 also became the first retailer to be named an EPA Green Power Partner of the Year for three consecutive years.



“Kohl’s continues to make strides in energy efficiency every year, and we are pleased to share that more than 60% of Kohl’s stores nationwide – 700 locations – have earned the Energy Star label,” said John Worthington, Kohl’s chief administrative officer. “But, we’re not stopping there. Our teams collaborate daily to review current projects and discuss new opportunities for energy management and cost savings. We continue to add new solar locations, grow our green power purchases and educate our associates and business partners about the importance of being good environmental stewards. We strive toward new goals each year and look forward to achieving and surpassing our goal of 800 Energy Star-labeled locations by 2015.”



With 590 Energy Star-labeled locations at the end of 2010, Kohl’s began 2011 with a goal of expanding the number of labeled locations to 650. By conducting detailed energy audits throughout the year, an additional 86 Kohl’s stores were awarded the Energy Star label last year.



According to EPA, on average, commercial buildings that earn the Energy Star label use 35% less energy and generate one-third less carbon dioxide than similar buildings. As of 2011, all newly constructed Kohl’s stores pursue Energy Star’s “Designed to Earn” designation with the intent of earning the Energy Star label once built. These stores are eligible to earn the Energy Star label after maintaining superior energy performance for one year in operation.



In 2011, Kohl’s also furthered its commitment to the use and support of renewable energy by purchasing more than 1.4 billion kWh of green power, enough to offset more than 100 percent of the company’s purchased electricity use. Kohl’s is also one of the largest single hosts of solar electricity production in North America with more than 120 solar locations in nine states, including California, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Oregon, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Arizona. Also in 2011, Kohl’s launched its first wind locations at its Corpus Christi, Texas store and Findlay, Ohio, distribution center and installed electric vehicle charging stations at 38 stores across 13 states.