Four JCPenney stores are the first retail buildings in the country to earn the Energy Star label for superior energy efficiency and environmental performance. Compared to similar stores nationwide, the JCPenney stores collectively spend almost a quarter of $1 million less per year on energy, and avoid over 3 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year, equal to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity use of nearly 200 homes.
Of the almost 5 million commercial buildings in the U.S., retail buildings account for the largest energy bills and are responsible for the second largest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA.
Washington State is home to the four Energy Star JCPenney stores in the towns of Puyallup, Vancouver, Bellevue and Burlington. In total, these stores cover approximately 460,000 square feet and, on average, use about 35 percent less energy than typical retail stores nationwide, resulting in about 35 percent less CO2 emissions than retail stores in their region.
As of Oct. 1, 2007, retail buildings can qualify for the Energy Star label if they rate in the top 25 percent of similar retail buildings nationwide.
JCPenney recently opened a new store in Denver that will pilot a series of sustainability initiatives for new store construction.
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