Kohl's Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) announced today that the company received the inaugural Gold Edison Green Award™ at the annual Edison Awards Gala held last night in New York City. The Edison Awards, associated with the Thomas Edison Papers at Rutgers University, symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by Thomas Alva Edison. Kohl's receipt of the Edison Green Award recognizes the company's commitment to developing sustainable solutions and green business models in an effort to reduce the community's carbon footprint.

"Kohl's is honored to be recognized by its peers for our ongoing efforts to improve our shared environment," said Ken Bonning, Kohl's executive vice president of store planning and logistics. "By engaging associates, partners and members of the community, Kohl's continues to operate our business with a commitment to environmental responsibility. From partnering in green building pilot programs to supporting renewable energy initiatives, we're focused on long-term solutions that help protect the Earth's resources."

The Edison Awards, a peer-review honor, are voted on by roughly 2,000 members of the not-for-profit Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG), America's top executives and academics. Edison Awards are judged on marketplace innovation, marketplace success, technological innovation, market structure innovation, societal impact and design innovation. Some of Kohl's initiatives that support these categories include:

• Industry-leading energy management and green building programs: A 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, Kohl's has more than 450 ENERGY STAR-labeled buildings and more than 85 solar locations nationwide. Kohl's is also a leader in the construction and design of green buildings and has worked closely with the U.S. Green Building Council to LEED-certify more than 60 locations to date. Characteristics of LEED-certified Kohl's stores include water-efficient landscaping, carefully managed construction waste, use of recycled and regionally sourced building materials and central energy management systems.


• Carbon neutral: Kohl's voluntarily discloses emissions to the Carbon Disclosure Project and to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders program. The company has committed to reaching net zero carbon dioxide emissions by the end of this year and will continue to set ambitious goals.


• Green Power leadership: A 2009 Green Power Partner of the Year, Kohl's currently ranks number one among retailers and second overall on EPA's quarterly rankings of top green power purchasers in EPA's Green Power Partnership. Kohl's purchases renewable energy credits in the areas of wind, solar and biomass generation.


• Waste stream reduction: Kohl's has a longstanding recycling program, and in 2009, recycled more than 130,000 tons of plastic, cardboard and hangers. Kohl's also works closely with internal and external partners to reduce the amount of waste throughout its operations and supply chain.


• Smart Shipping: Kohl's contract carriers are required to be members of EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership, which stresses fuel efficiency and emissions-reduction strategies. A 2009 SmartWay Shipper Excellence Awards winner, Kohl's transports more than 40 percent of inbound merchandise using rail and aims to ensure, whenever possible, that trucks are filled on trips both to and from distribution centers.


• Greener fuel alternatives: From June 2009 through January 2010, more than one million miles of shipments to Kohl's stores from distribution centers were moved using bio-diesel fuel made from renewable sources. In addition, since October 2009, all trucks moving goods from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are clean trucks fueled using liquefied natural gas.


• Encouraging environmental values: As part of this effort, Kohl's serves as a sustainability mentor for local businesses and implements programs to educate associates about environmental responsibility. Throughout April, Kohl's associates across the country volunteered in a green activity for a youth-focused nonprofit agency as part of the company's first-ever national Kohl's Volunteers Go Green Event (NVGG). Through this initiative, Kohl's plans to donate $2 million in grants to community organizations nationwide.

For more information about Kohl's environmental initiatives, visit www.kohlsgreenscene.com.

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 1,067 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.

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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