JCPenney stores claim eco-laurels   

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/30/2007 12:32:00 PM

Plano, Texas – Four new JCPenney stores in Washington state have become “the first buildings to earn the new retail Energy Star rating for superior energy performance and environmental protection,” the retailer said.

JCPenney said it used Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) analytic tools to find that the four stores use about 35% less energy than average retail stores, for a total annual savings of nearly $250,000.

The four Washington stores are in Bellevue, Burlington, Puyallup and Vancouver.

The 1,064-unit company has been inculcating wise energy management among its 155,000 employees, and designates an Energy Captain for each store. JCPenney, which earlier this year was selected as the first retailer to receive the EPA Energy Star Partner of the Year award, also operates an awards program for its employees, called Monthly Utility Mania.