The American department store chain, Kohl’s has been recognized with the 2014 Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award honoured leading green power users for their commitment and contribution in helping advance the development of the country. Kohl’s is amongst the largest host of solar electricity in North America with 161 solar locations that generate more than 50 megawatts of on-site green power and each store of Kohl’s generates enough power to offset 20 to 50 per cent of the store’s energy usage. Currently, the company is purchasing more than 1.5 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of green power annually. This combined with the on-site green power generation, is enough to meet 105 per cent of the company’s total US-based electricity use.
According to the EPA, Kohl’s current green power use of more than 1.5 billion kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 2,23,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 1,46,000 average American homes annually. Till date, more than 80 per cent of Kohl’s stores have earned EPA’s Energy Star’s certification, and over a one-third have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the US Green Building Council. Ken Bonning, Kohl’s Senior Executive Vice President says, “As a national retailer, it is important for Kohl’s to be a good corporate citizen. We aim to be a corporate sustainability leader, which is demonstrated in our commitment to on-site generation through our solar programme and a continued investment in support of green power.”
