JCP earns EPA award for sustained excellence

-- Home Textiles Today, 3/19/2010 10:51:00 AM

Plano, Texas – For the second time, J.C. Penney Company Inc. has earned the Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is the first retailer to win the award.

This 2010 honor follows JCP’s earlier award from the EPA, which included the Energy Star Partner of the Year awards in 2007 and 2008.

JCP’s accomplishment was recognized March 18 at a special awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

JCP was awarded for its comprehensive approach to energy management. Last year, the retailer invested more than $10 million to install advanced meter technology, lighting retrofits and high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in stores across the country, with nine locations using solar power. In addition, JCP said it has adopted an company-wide initiative to encourage each of its employees to seek innovative ways to save energy.

Currently, 96 JCP stores and the retailer’s home office here have qualified for the Energy Star Building Label. JCP expects to expand the number of Energy Star certifications to 200 of its stores by the end of 2010.