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J.C. Penney Company’s Home Office Recognized with Energy Star Award

Release Date: 04/22/2008
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

Company’s Efforts Are Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

(Dallas, Texas – April 22, 2008) Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented the J.C. Penney Company, Inc. with its Energy Star award. At a ceremony unveiling the Energy Star award plaque, the company’s Home Office was certified in the Existing Office Building category. The Plano, Texas, based retailer was recently showcased in a report released by EPA for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.

“We applaud JCPenney for preserving our environment and our energy resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “Whether you are running a business, a school, or a household, improving our nation’s environmental and energy outlook just makes sense.”

JCPenney is one of America’s leading retailers with 1,073 stores. At its 1.9 million-square-foot Home Office in Plano, the company has implemented more than 40 energy-saving initiatives over the past five years to reduce consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Energy Star for our Home Office reflects the foresight that went into the design of the facility when it opened in 1992, as well as our associates’ ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and conservation,” said Michael Theilmann, executive vice president, chief human resources and administration officer for JCPenney. “The Energy Star plaque serves as both a sign of our achievements and a reminder that we are continuing to find ways to do more.”

JCPenney’s energy management program has focused on continuous improvement and refining of systems and processes to increase effectiveness. It was the first retailer to earn the Energy Star label for a retail store upon the release of EPA’s energy performance rating for retail in October 2007. The company also is a two-time recipient of Energy Star Partner of the Year recognition.

JCPenney has been particularly successful in helping its staff be part of the solution. Striving to make energy conservation direct, simple, and fun for the company’s 155,000 employees, the company designed an “Energy Captain” Web portal to supplement its online Energy Center. The portal is a one-stop shop for energy reports and support materials, as well as a forum to share ideas.

Energy Star was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the Department of Energy, Energy Star offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money, and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are Energy Star partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses.

For more information about Energy Star visit: http://www.energystar.gov/awards
More about activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/region6
EPA audio file is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/audio.htm#audio042208_jcpenney