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Kohl's Expands Solar Power Program to Oregon

Posted on: Wednesday, 6 August 2008, 09:00 CDT

Kohl's Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) announced today that it will expand its solar program to a sixth state, Oregon, with plans to convert four of its nine stores to solar power. In addition to Oregon, Kohl's has solar projects underway in California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and Wisconsin.

Solar panel installation will begin in August at the Hillsboro store, the first Kohl's location scheduled for solar power in the state. Planning is underway to convert three additional Oregon stores to solar power. On average, solar panels will provide about 25 percent of each store's energy. When complete, the four Oregon installations will collectively provide up to 900 kilowatts of power and are expected to produce up to 1 million kilowatt-hours of energy per year. Over the 20-year life of the program, the solar energy produced is expected to offset 12.9 million pounds of carbon dioxide, which is enough energy to power 1,682 households in Oregon annually or the equivalent of taking 1,255 cars off the road for a year.

Kohl's is the largest retail host of solar power, and its distributed solar program is the largest in the world among retailers. In a distributed solar program, silent, renewable energy is produced and used at the same location requiring no transmission infrastructure. In total, Kohl's has converted 43 locations to solar power and has plans to activate approximately 85 additional sites across its six-state program. The company hopes to add more states to its growing solar program in the coming months.

"Kohl's strives to be an environmentally responsible retailer," said Ken Bonning, executive vice president of logistics for Kohl's. "The addition of Oregon to our solar program demonstrates our continued desire to use cleaner energy and reduce our carbon footprint.

Kohl's supports its green mission by maximizing energy efficiency, minimizing waste, improving new building design, reducing climate damaging emissions, and encouraging environmental values. Green activities and honors include:

-- Beginning this fall, Kohl's will pursue LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council for all stores built from the ground up.

-- In July 2008, 50 Kohl's stores earned the Energy Star label for superior energy efficiency and environmental performance marking the largest group of retail buildings to earn the label in Energy Star history.

-- Kohl's state-of-the-art photo studio, which opened in Milwaukee in January, was constructed using LEED criteria as well.

-- In its May issue, Working Mother Magazine recognized Kohl's as one of the Best Green Companies for America's Children.

-- Kohl's is the largest retail host of solar power - its distributed solar program, which spans six states, is the largest in the world among retailers.

-- The EPA honored Kohl's with a Green Power Leadership Award for being the No. 2 retail purchaser of renewable energy.

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. By the end of November, Kohl's will operate 1,004 stores in 48 states. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl's has raised more than $102 million for children's initiatives nationwide through its Kohl's Cares for Kids(R) philanthropic program. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.

Source: Business Wire

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