CINCINNATI, Dec. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) proudly announced today that the company has been accepted as an Elite Member of ENERGY STAR Certification Nation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Kroger was the only grocery retailer granted Elite Member certification status, which was granted to organizations that earned ENERGY STAR certification for at least 150 buildings in 2014.

"Kroger is committed to reducing our impact on the environment, and our ENERGY STAR certified buildings have delivered energy and cost savings as well as reduce our carbon footprint," said Keith Oliver, Kroger's vice president of facility engineering. "We are pleased to help our partners at the EPA celebrate 15 years of ENERGY STAR certifications."

Kroger has earned 649 ENERGY STAR certifications. The company utilizes a variety of practices to increase energy efficiency, employing technology such as LED lights, skylights, and control systems - as well as engaging store associates in energy savings initiatives. Kroger has reduced its average grocery store electricity usage by 35 percent since the year 2000.

For more information about Certification Nation and the 15th anniversary for ENERGY STAR Certification for Commercial Buildings: www.energystar.gov/CertificationNation.

For more information about Kroger's sustainability initiatives: http://sustainability.kroger.com/

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,631 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 783 convenience stores, 325 fine jewelry stores, 1,293 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.

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SOURCE The Kroger Co.