Menomonee Falls, WI — More than 600 of Kohl’s 1,097 stores have earned the ENERGY STAR label. The retailer was also recognized as a 2011 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year on April 2, 2011.
Menomonee Falls, WI — Kohl’s Department Stores was recognized as a 2011 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for the second consecutive year at the ENERGY STAR Awards ceremony held April 12, 2011, in Washington, D.C. Given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy, the Partner of the Year Award recognizes Kohl’s contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency initiatives.
To date, more than 600 of Kohl’s 1,097 stores have earned the ENERGY STAR label — more than any other department store.
According to the 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. By making energy management a key focus in the company’s comprehensive sustainability strategy, Kohl’s saved enough energy in 2010 to power more than 11,500 average American households for one year. After improving energy efficiency by more than 20% across stores over the last 4 years, Kohl’s aims to increase energy efficiency by an additional 4% across its portfolio of stores in 2011.
Kohl’s has also taken steps to ensure that newly constructed buildings are more energy efficient by design. All newly constructed Kohl’s stores will pursue Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR 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 1 year in operation.
Kohl’s utilizes the ENERGY STAR portfolio manager to track energy performance of all facilities, expand use of best practices and review areas to enhance energy performance. Kohl’s began installing building automation control systems as early as 1982 and today operates all locations via a centralized energy management system that controls most interior and exterior lighting, heating and cooling. Kohl’s is also North America’s largest retail host of solar power with more than 100 solar locations in eight states. Additional energy management initiatives include close partnership with electric utility representatives at stores nationwide, office equipment upgrades and continued investments in high-efficiency lighting, as well as in occupancy sensors and variable frequency drives to help regulate energy consumption.
Currently, Kohl’s operates 1,097 stores in 49 states. Kohl’s Cares, LLC, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc. For more information, visit www.Kohls.com or www.Kohls.com/Cares.
For more information on the ENERGY STAR program, visit www.energystar.gov.