Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) today announced that the company has once again been recognized with a 2014 Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards honor leading green power users for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. Most recently, Kohl’s added solar arrays to 19 locations in 2013 and five locations in 2014, for a total of 161 solar locations in 13 states representing more than 50 megawatts of power. The company also set and achieved an initial goal of achieving net zero emissions from 2010-2012 and in 2013, extended this goal three more years through 2015.

“As a national retailer, it is important for Kohl’s to be a good corporate citizen. We aim to be a corporate sustainability leader, which is demonstrated in our commitment to on-site generation thorough our solar program and a continued investment in support of green power,” said Ken Bonning, Kohl’s senior executive vice president. “Through these initiatives and our sustainable operations strategies, we are pleased to share that we are on track to meet our goal of achieving net zero emissions through 2015.”

Commitment to Green Power

With 161 solar locations that generate more than 50 megawatts of on-site green power, Kohl’s is one of the largest hosts of solar electricity in North America. Each Kohl’s store with solar arrays generates enough power to offset 20 to 50 percent of the store’s energy use. In addition, Kohl’s also has two wind locations – its Findlay, Ohio distribution center and Corpus Christi, Texas store.

The company is also currently purchasing more than 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually. Combined with the on-site green power generation, this is enough green power to meet 105 percent of the company’s total U.S.-based electricity use. According to the EPA, Kohl's current green power use of more than 1.5 billion kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 223,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 146,000 average American homes annually.

“EPA applauds Kohl’s Department Stores for its continued, distinguished commitment to expanding its use of green power and thereby reducing its climate impacts,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “The Sustained Excellence in Green Power award is indicative of Kohl’s Department Stores’ environmental leadership and is a well-deserved honor.”

Leadership in Sustainable Operations

Kohl’s also has longstanding leadership in operational efficiency, including waste reduction, building design and operation, transportation, supply chain and energy management. More than 80 percent of Kohl’s stores have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR® certification, and more than a third have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Kohl’s is also an active participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge. Through this program, the company has committed to reduce its energy use in more than 112 million square feet of occupied building space by at least 20 percent by 2020.

Kohl's Department Stores is one of only two organizations nationwide to receive a Sustained Excellence in Green Power award this year. The award will be presented by the EPA at an event held in conjunction with the 2014 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Sacramento, California on December 3, 2014. Kohl’s joined EPA’s Green Power Partnership in 2006, and currently ranks as No. 2 on EPA’s National Top 100 list, No. 1 on the Top 30 Retail list, No. 7 on the Top 30 On-site list, and No. 2 on the Fortune 500® Partners list. Kohl’s also appears on the Long-term Contracts list recognizing Green Power Partners that have made long-term commitments to renewable energy use. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners using the most renewable energy annually as of September 23, 2014. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.

Additional information about Kohl’s environmental efforts is available at www.KohlsGreen.com.

About Kohl's Department Stores

Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading specialty department store with 1,163 stores in 49 states. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering families to lead fulfilled lives, the company offers amazing national and exclusive brands, incredible savings and inspiring shopping experiences in-store, online at Kohls.com and via mobile devices. Committed to its communities, Kohl’s has raised more than $257 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For additional information about Kohl’s philanthropic and environmental initiatives, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.

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About EPA’s Green Power Partnership

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,300 Partner organizations collectively purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500® companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.

About the Green Power Leadership Awards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) co-sponsors the annual Green Power Leadership Awards in conjunction with the Center for Resource Solutions. EPA recognizes winners in the following awards categories: Green Power Partner of the Year; Sustained Excellence in Green Power; On-site Generation; Green Power Purchasing; Green Power Community of the Year; and Green Power Supplier of the Year. EPA’s Green Power Partner awards recognize the exceptional achievement among EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through green power procurement, market leadership, overall green power strategy, and overall impact on the green power market. EPA’s Green Power Supplier awards recognize green power suppliers for outstanding efforts, initiatives and programs that significantly advance the development of green power sources serving the voluntary market. The Awards are held in conjunction with the Renewable Energy Markets Conference. For additional information please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/awards/.