Kohl's Department Stores announced that the company has been recognized with a 2012 Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award was presented at an event held in conjunction with the 2012 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Washington, D.C.
EPA's annual Green Power Leadership Awards recognize the country's leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's voluntary green power market.
As a 2012 recipient of the Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award, Kohl's has demonstrated a commitment to the support of green power over a number of years. This is the company's sixth consecutive year receiving a Green Power Leadership Award.
"Kohl's takes its commitment to green power and sustainable operations seriously and has set several goals to ensure we continue to strategically advance our programs," said John Worthington, Kohl's Chief Administrative Officer. "From offsetting 100 percent of our energy use to having 200 solar locations by 2015 to educating our partners about how to establish successful programs of their own, Kohl's is proud to do our part to support green power use. We are honored to receive this recognition for sustained excellence."
Kohl's purchased 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power in 2012 and generates more than 28 million kWh through its solar program, offsetting more than 100 percent of the company's electricity use for the third consecutive year. EPA defines green power as electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro.
These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.
"EPA applauds Kohl's Department Stores for its continued, exceptional support of the voluntary green power market," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "Kohl's long-standing commitment to green power is a notable achievement."
According to EPA, Kohl's current green power purchase is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of more than 207,000 passenger vehicles per year, or the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power more than 131,000 average American homes annually.
Kohl's currently ranks number one on EPA's Top 20 Retail list and number two on the National Top 50 list of top green power purchasers. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through July 5, 2012. Kohl's joined EPA's Green Power Partnership in 2006, making an initial purchase of more than 80 million kWh of renewable energy credits in 2007.
Use and support of renewable energy, including the 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 commitment to energy efficiency.
Currently, the company operates more than 120 solar locations in 10 states and has more than 700 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 precertified 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 nearly 300 LEED-certified locations nationwide.
Kohl's comprehensive environmental program is part of the Kohl's Cares philanthropic platform, committed to making communities happier, healthier, greener places to live and work.
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment.
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) co-sponsors the annual Green Power Leadership Awards in conjunction with the Center for Resource Solutions.
