Apr 29 2009
Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE:KSS) announced today that 110 additional Kohl’s stores earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR label, a nationally recognized symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. This brings the company’s total number of ENERGY STAR-labeled stores to 219.
The company also announced that its new store prototype, first used in the construction of Kohl’s fall 2008 new, ground-up stores, received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED©) initial certification at the Silver level by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Kohl’s is the first specialty department store to receive this green building stamp of approval on its new store prototype. LEED is the USGBC’s rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy-efficient and high-performing buildings that also make good economic sense.
“Operating practices that are good for the environment are also good for business, our customers and our associates,” said Ken Bonning, Kohl’s executive vice president of store planning and logistics. “Through environmentally responsible practices and initiatives, such as energy management and green building design, we reduce operating costs and create a comfortable shopping and work environment. As we grow and bring new stores to communities nationwide, we will continue to challenge ourselves to set high standards for the environmental performance of our buildings and operations.”
Kohl’s Makes ENERGY STAR History Again
Kohl’s reached its first ENERGY STAR milestone in July 2008 when the company’s first 50 stores received the label. This marked the largest grouping of non-supermarket retail stores to receive the label in ENERGY STAR history.
According to EPA, commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR rate in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy performance, use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide. In total, Kohl’s energy management efforts have prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity use from 37,675 households for a year. Features of Kohl’s ENERGY STAR-labeled stores include centralized energy management systems, occupancy sensor lighting and high-efficiency lighting, heating and cooling systems.
“Improving the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings is critical to preserving our environment and our natural resources,” said Kathleen Hogan, director of EPA’s Climate Protection Partnership Division. "From office buildings to hotels, schools to stores, the ENERGY STAR distinguishes those organizations who are taking environmental responsibility into their own hands.”
LEED-ing the Way in Green Building Certification
In addition to initial certification of Kohl’s new store prototype at the Silver level, the USGBC certified two Kohl’s stores at the Silver level and one store at the Certified level that were built according to the new prototype. These three stores are Kohl’s first to earn LEED certification. Sixty additional stores constructed using the new store prototype are expected to receive certification in the coming months.
“Kohl’s LEED accomplishments demonstrate tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Kohl’s serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish.”
Characteristics of Kohl’s LEED new store prototype and stores constructed according to it include on-site recycling, water-efficient landscaping, regionally sourced building materials and construction activity pollution prevention. These environmentally responsible characteristics play a key role in helping Kohl’s reduce waste, reduce emissions and conserve resources.