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Kohl's Department Stores Recognized as 2010 ENERGY STAR(R) Partner of the Year

Kohl's operates more than 400 ENERGY STAR locations, more than any other specialty department store

Kohl's Department Stores Recognized as 2010 ENERGY STAR(R) Partner of the Year

Kohl's operates more than 400 ENERGY STAR locations, more than any other specialty department store

Published 03-01-10

Submitted by Kohl's Department Stores

Kohl's Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) has been named 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Energy Management by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The award recognizes Kohl's commitment to energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. According to EPA, the 2010 Partner of the Year awards recognize efforts to use energy efficiently in facility operations and to integrate superior energy management into overall organizational strategy. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. Kohl's will receive the award at a March 18, 2010 ceremony in Washington, D.C.

"Kohl's recognition as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year reflects that business can be successful while being responsible stewards of the environment," said Ken Bonning, Kohl's executive vice president of store planning and logistics. "Kohl's has been a proud member of ENERGY STAR for more than a decade, and we’re honored to receive this award. This collaboration plays a significant role toward achieving our short-term goal of being carbon neutral by the end of year and ongoing goal of reducing our environmental footprint."

Kohl's joined ENERGY STAR in 1998 to ensure that energy management would continue to be a foremost environmental priority with the company's continued growth. Since the West Bend, Wis. store became the company’s first location to earn the ENERGY STAR label in 2008, the company has continued to certify locations nationwide. Kohl's currently operates more than 400 ENERGY STAR locations "“ more than any other specialty department store. In 2009, more than 200 Kohl's stores earned the ENERGY STAR label.

"Kohl's is leading the fight against climate change through greater energy efficiency," said Gina McCarthy, EPA assistant administrator for air and radiation. "Kohl's robust energy management program is a model for others and affirms that energy efficiency is our most cost-effective climate strategy."

On average, commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use 35 percent less energy and generate one-third less carbon dioxide than similar buildings. According to EPA, the energy saved by Kohl's in 2009 is enough to power 23,423 average American homes for a year.

All Kohl's locations are entered into the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a system that helps the company continually assess opportunities to save energy and water. From this assessment, the company is able to manage energy costs as well as ensure buildings operate efficiently and are comfortable for shoppers and associates.

Other Kohl's energy initiatives include:

  • Operation of all Kohl's locations by centralized energy management systems that control most interior and exterior lighting, heating and cooling.
  • Activation of solar systems in 13 locations in 2009, bringing the company’s total number of solar locations to 81 in six states.
  • Continued investments in high-efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors.
  • Reducing spotlight usage or upgrading to more efficient models at all stores.
  • Operation of high-efficiency heating and cooling systems in all new stores.
  • Installation of variable frequency drives at select stores to regulate electricity usage, saving more than 1.6 million kWh per year.
  • Continued use of demand response controls to reduce power use during peak times.
  • Upgrading to liquid crystal display (LCD) store monitors which use 30 percent less power and produce less heat.

Maximizing energy efficiency is one of Kohl's key environmental strategies, along with green building design, minimizing waste, reducing emissions and encouraging environmental values. Committed to being a leading environmentally responsible retailer, Kohl's announced in December 2009 a goal to reach net zero carbon dioxide emissions by the end of 2010. Last year, the company was ranked by Newsweek as the number one green retailer in the publication's Green Rankings. Kohl's also was recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a 2009 Green Power Partner of the Year.

More information about Kohl's environmental initiatives, including ENERGY STAR, is available at www.kohlsgreenscene.com. For more information on the ENERGY STAR program, visit www.energystar.gov.

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. Kohl's operates 1,059 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. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 17,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Kohl's Department Stores logo

Kohl's Department Stores

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. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,155 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $231 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, join the discussion on Facebook (facebook.com/Kohls) or Twitter (twitter.com/Kohls) or get inspired on Pinterest (pinterest.com/Kohls) and Instagram (instagram.com/Kohls).

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