There is approximately one week left for holiday shoppers. As we rush through stores seeking the best gift for the best price, few of us consider the environmental energy policies of the stores where we shop. These days, department stores are lighting-up with more than holiday cheer: they’re making diverse energy choices, particularly when it comes to solar energy. For instance, Kohl’s ranks number 15 on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership list for its purchase and direct use of renewable energy. The department store chain has solar powered stores in California, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Connecticut.
Though the economy is down this holiday season, it does not mean progressive energy use has to be sacrificed. Solar energy companies, such as SunEdison, are reconstructing the way businesses, such as Kohl’s, buy energy. The solar energy service provider allows these stores to purchase clean energy at the same or better rates than regular retail energy. Furthermore, Kohl’s does not have to buy the solar panels or any other components because SunEdison owns and operates the whole system. Other stores that have gone solar include Staples, Wal-Mart and Whole Foods.
So as you finish up your shopping, take another look at the Green Power Partnership list. It’s a good starting point for finding retailers and manufacturers who are making those initial strides towards investing in renewable energy.
Genni Hester volunteered for NNEC during the fall semester. She is a Philosophy Major/Photography Minor in her junior year at Marymount Manhattan College.
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