On October 27, 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency recognized seventeen organizations who have received the Green power Partnership Awards. MallCrawl is proud to announce that of these seventeen winners, four of these institutions can be found at our local malls- Staples, Starbucks, Macy’s, and Kohl’s.

Last year, Kohl’s boldly announced that that it would pursue LEED certification for each of its 75 stores slated to open in 2008. LEED Certification signifies the “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” rating system. LEED certified buildings use key resources more efficiently than conventional buildings that are just built to a standard code. Although green buildings cost more to design and construct, the LEED rating system addresses water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

On October 1 of this year, 45 new stores debuted, catapulting Kohl’s as the largest retail host of solar power. Kohl’s buys or produces 20% of its annual electricity from renewable sources and expects to have 100 on-site solar photovoltaic arrays installed on rooftops in Oregon, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Maryland by the end of the year, with another 33 planned in 2009. Kohl’s has become a leader in sustainability, and includes low flow toilets and high efficiency air conditioning/heating in all of their new stores.

Kohl’s Department Stores relays to its customers to “expect great things.” Based on the national recognition of their eco-friendly efforts at the 2008 Green Power Leadership Awards, Kohl’s customers already are seeing great efforts towards leadership and designing for the future.