Kohl’s
Department Stores (NYSE:KSS) today announced that the company will
expand its solar program by nearly 25 percent in 2012, installing solar
panels at approximately 30 additional Kohl’s locations. While some of
the new solar sites will be in states such as California, Connecticut
and Maryland where Kohl’s already has a solar presence, additional sites
will be located in new solar states for Kohl’s, including Massachusetts,
New York and Ohio. On average, the solar panels will supply 20 to 50
percent of each store’s energy. Construction of the solar panel arrays
on the first phase of stores began this spring. Once the installations
are complete by the end of 2012, Kohl’s expects to have more than 150
solar locations across 13 states.
“After adding 20 solar locations in 2011, we’re pleased to continue
growing our solar program in 2012,” said John Worthington, Kohl’s chief
administrative officer. “Not only do our solar locations provide an
immediate cost savings to Kohl’s, they serve as examples of our
environmental commitment in action. As a national retailer with more
than 1,100 stores, we consistently challenge ourselves to find new ways
to reduce the operational footprint of our facilities, to be more energy
efficient, use fewer resources and be a good neighbor in the communities
where we do business. It’s exciting when we are able to add solar panels
to a store, because it becomes part of a shopper’s Kohl’s experience.
Even if they can’t immediately see the solar panels on the roof –
similar to how they might not see all of the characteristics that make a
store ENERGY STAR-labeled or LEED-certified, they know Kohl’s is working
to be a good environmental steward and to make responsible choices about
how we operate our stores.”
Kohl’s launched its solar program in 2007 with the installation of solar
panels at its Laguna Niguel, Calif. store. The company has continued to
expand the program to additional locations over the last five years
where it is feasible and provides a cost savings. Currently, Kohl’s is
one of the largest single hosts of solar electricity in North America
and has more than 120 solar locations, including its Milwaukee photo
studio and San Bernardino distribution center – the company’s largest
solar panel array. With the completion of Kohl’s 30 new locations, the
company’s portfolio of solar sites will produce more than 74.2 million
kWh of energy annually – equivalent to preventing greenhouse gas
emissions from 10,032 passenger vehicles or the carbon dioxide emissions
from the electricity use of 6,380 homes for a year.
Through the on-site energy generation at Kohl’s solar locations, two
wind locations and the purchase of renewable energy credits, Kohl’s
offsets more than 100 percent of its conventional companywide energy
use. The company continues to purchase renewable energy credits to
offset the energy consumption of new stores and corporate locations and
made a 2012 renewable energy purchase of more than 1.5 billion kWh. In
recognition of these efforts, Kohl’s was named a Green Power Partner of
the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2011, 2010 and
2009. The company also makes energy efficiency a priority and currently
has more 700 ENERGY STAR-labeled locations – more than half of the
company’s stores – with a goal of achieving 800 labeled locations by
2015.
Kohl’s green power and energy efficiency programs are key components of
the company’s commitment to being a leading environmentally responsible
retailer through strategies that include sustainable operations,
collaboration throughout its supply chain and stakeholder engagement.
Additional information about Kohl’s environmental efforts is available
at www.KohlsGreenScene.com.
Kohl’s comprehensive environmental program, Advancing Environmental
Solutions, is part of the Kohl’s Cares® philanthropic platform,
committed to making communities happier, healthier, greener places to
live and work. Additional information about Kohl’s Cares is available at www.Kohls.com/Cares.
About Kohl's
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) 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. With a commitment to
environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,134 stores in 49 states. In
support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more
than $208 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its
Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's
Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc.
For a list of store locations and information, or for the added
convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com, or
join the discussion on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kohls or
Twitter http://twitter.com/Kohls.
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