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.
About Kohl�s Department Stores
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. By the end of April, Kohl�s will operate 1,022 stores
in 49 states. A company committed to the communities it serves,
Kohl�s has raised more than $126 million for children�s initiatives
nationwide through its Kohl�s Cares for Kids� philanthropic
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.
About ENERGY STAR�
ENERGY STAR� was introduced by the U.S. EPA in 1992 as a
voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY
STAR label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of
products, new homes, and commercial and industrial buildings.
Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation
prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict
energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2008,
Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $19 billion on
their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions
equivalent to those of 29 million vehicles.
For more information about ENERGY STAR visit
www.energystar.gov.
About the United States Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership
organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment within
a generation. Its membership includes corporations, builders,
universities, government agencies, and other nonprofit
organizations. Since USGBC�s founding in 1993, the Council has
grown to more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, a
comprehensive family of LEED� green building rating systems, an
expansive educational offering, the industry�s popular Greenbuild
International Conference and Expo (www.greenbuildexpo.org), and a
network of 78 local chapters, affiliates, and organizing groups.
For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
About LEED�
The LEED� (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green
Building Rating System� is a feature-oriented rating system that
awards buildings points for satisfying specified green building
criteria. The six major environmental categories of review include:
Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere,
Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and
Innovation Design. Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of
LEED green building certification are awarded based on the total
number of points earned within each LEED category. LEED can be
applied to all building types including new construction,
commercial interiors, core & shell developments, existing
buildings, homes, neighborhood developments, schools and retail
facilities. LEED for Healthcare is currently under development and
is expected to be released in late 2009.
Incentives for LEED are available at the state and local level
and LEED has also been adopted nationwide by federal agencies,
state and local governments, and interested private companies. For
more information, visit www.usgbc.org/LEED.
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