Kohl’s department stores has been recognized with 2014 Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The annual awards honour leading green power users for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. The award will be presented by the EPA at an event held in conjunction with the 2014 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Sacramento, California, on December 3, 2014.

With 161 solar locations that generate more than 50 megawatts of on-site green power, Kohl’s is one of the largest hosts of solar electricity in North America. Each Kohl’s store with solar arrays generates enough power to offset 20 to 50 per cent of the store’s energy use.

The company is also currently purchasing more than 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually. Combined with the on-site green power generation, this is enough green power 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 223,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 146,000 average American homes annually.

Kohl’s also has longstanding leadership in operational efficiency, including waste reduction, building design and operation, transportation, supply chain and energy management. More than 80 per cent of Kohl’s stores have earned EPA’s Energy Star’s certification, and more than a 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, said, “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.”

“Through these initiatives and our sustainable operations strategies, we are pleased to share that we are on track to meet our goal of achieving net zero emissions through 2015,” he added.

Kohl’s is a leading specialty department store with 1,163 stores in 49 states. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering families to lead fulfilled lives, the company offers amazing national and exclusive brands, incredible savings and inspiring shopping experiences in-store and online. (GK)