Kohl’s hits two energy milestones

Menomonee Falls, Wis. Kohl’s Department Stores said Wednesday that 110 of its stores have earned the ENERGY STAR label, a symbol from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that recognizes high levels of commitment to energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR rate in the top 25% of similar facilities nationwide for energy performance, use an average of 35% less energy than typical buildings and release 35% less carbon dioxide. Features of Kohl’s ENERGY STAR-labeled stores include centralized energy-management systems, occupancy sensor lighting and high-efficiency lighting, heating and cooling systems. The company’s energy-management efforts have prevented greenhouse-gas emissions equal to the electricity use from 37,675 households for a year.

The department store also said 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 initial certification at the Silver level by the United States Green Building Council. LEED is the USGBC’s rating system for designing and constructing the greenest, most energy-efficient and high-performing buildings that also make good economic sense.