EPA Honors Hilton Worldwide with Award for Top Renewable Power Purchase

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Worldwide announced today that it received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards recognize the country’s leading renewable power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. EPA presented the award to Hilton Worldwide at an event held in conjunction with the 2012 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Washington, DC on September 24, 2012.

Hilton Worldwide was one of only four organizations nationwide to be chosen as a Green Power Partner of the Year. The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through their purchase, leadership, overall strategy and impact on the green power market. Hilton Worldwide is currently purchasing 315 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 94 percent of the organization’s purchased electricity use. In addition, Hilton Worldwide is buying renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Renewable Choice Energy.

“As a hotel company, energy is very important to the operations of our business and as such, the development of renewable energy as a viable supply option is critical to our success. It is a huge honor to be recognized for our commitment to renewable power and it is a testament to our focus on sustainability across our brands,” Christopher Corpuel, vice president of sustainability and brand services, Hilton Worldwide, said.

Hilton Worldwide currently ranks number 12 on EPA’s National Top 50 List. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through July 5, 2012. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.

According to the EPA, green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

“Receiving the Green Power Partner of the Year award signifies Hilton Worldwide's leadership and impact on the green power market,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. "Hilton Worldwide's commitment to supporting green power should serve as an example to other organizations seeking to invest in environmental progress.”

According to the EPA, Hilton Worldwide’s current green power purchase of 315 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 43,000 passenger vehicles per year, or the amount of electricity needed to power more than 27,000 average American homes annually.

Hilton Worldwide’s investments in green power align with the company’s commitment to measure, analyze and continuously improve its sustainability performance. Since 2008, Hilton Worldwide has achieved more than $147 million in cumulative savings through LightStay™, the company’s proprietary sustainability measurement system, and is on track to reduce energy consumption, CO2 emissions and waste output by 20 percent, and water consumption by 10 percent by 2014. More information about LightStay and Hilton Worldwide’s 2011 sustainability performance is available at: http://hiltonworldwideglobalmediacenter.com/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/22071.

About LightStay

LightStay is a proprietary system developed to calculate and analyze sustainability performance. LightStay measures multiple utility and operational metrics such as (but not limited to) energy, water, carbon, housekeeping, paper product usage, waste, chemical storage, air quality and transportation. In addition, LightStay provides social networking tools that allow properties to communicate and share information, and features a "meeting impact calculator" element that calculates the sustainability impact of any meeting or conference held at a property.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 640,000 rooms in 91 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

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; On-site Generation; Green Power Purchasing; Sustained Excellence in Green Power; Green Power Community of the Year; Green Power Supplier of the Year; and Innovative Green Power Program of the Year. EPA’s Green Power User 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/.

Kohl’s Department Stores Recognized with 2012 EPA Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) today announced that the company has been recognized with a 2012 Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award was presented today at an event held in conjunction with the 2012 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Washington, D.C. EPA’s annual Green Power Leadership Awards recognize the country’s leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. As a 2012 recipient of the Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award, Kohl’s has demonstrated a commitment to the support of green power over a number of years. This is the company’s sixth consecutive year receiving a Green Power Leadership Award.

“Kohl’s takes its commitment to green power and sustainable operations seriously and has set several goals to ensure we continue to strategically advance our programs,” said John Worthington, Kohl’s Chief Administrative Officer. “From offsetting 100 percent of our energy use to having 200 solar locations by 2015 to educating our partners about how to establish successful programs of their own, Kohl’s is proud to do our part to support green power use. We are honored to receive this recognition for sustained excellence.”

Kohl’s purchased 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power in 2012 and generates more than 28 million kWh through its solar program, offsetting more than 100 percent of the company’s electricity use for the third consecutive year. EPA defines green power as electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

“EPA applauds Kohl's Department Stores for its continued, exceptional support of the voluntary green power market,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. "Kohl's long-standing commitment to green power is a notable achievement.”

According to EPA, Kohl’s current green power purchase is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of more than 207,000 passenger vehicles per year, or the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power more than 131,000 average American homes annually. Kohl’s currently ranks number one on EPA’s Top 20 Retail list and number two on the National Top 50 list of top green power purchasers. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through July 5, 2012. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/. Kohl’s joined EPA’s Green Power Partnership in 2006, making an initial purchase of more than 80 million kWh of renewable energy credits in 2007.

Use and support of renewable energy, including the purchase of renewable energy credits, is one key component of Kohl’s ongoing efforts to implement strategies that encourage long-term resource sustainability. Other key initiatives include a companywide commitment to recycling and waste reduction, environmentally responsible building design, construction and operation, supply chain and transportation initiatives, stakeholder engagement and a commitment to energy efficiency. Currently, the company operates more than 120 solar locations in 10 states and has more than 700 ENERGY STAR labeled locations – more than half of the company’s stores and more than any other department store. Since fall 2008, Kohl’s has also committed to building all new, ground-up stores according to LEED precertified prototypes and has most recently earned LEED Gold precertification for its new and existing new store prototypes from the U.S. Green Building Council. To date, Kohl’s has nearly 300 LEED-certified locations nationwide.

Kohl’s comprehensive environmental program is part of the Kohl’s Cares® philanthropic platform, committed to making communities happier, healthier, greener places to live and work. Additional information about Kohl’s Cares is available at www.Kohls.com/Cares. Additional information about Kohl’s environmental efforts is available at www.KohlsGreenScene.com.

About Kohl's Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,134 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $208 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 a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com, or join the discussion on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kohls or Twitter http://twitter.com/Kohls.

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; On-site Generation; Green Power Purchasing; Sustained Excellence in Green Power; Green Power Community of the Year; Green Power Supplier of the Year; and Innovative Green Power Program of the Year. EPA’s Green Power User 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/.

EPA Recognizes Autodesk as One of Nation’s Leading Green Power Purchasers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) for its use of renewable energy, and the 3D design, engineering and entertainment leader has officially joined the EPA’s Green Power Partnership. Autodesk purchases more than 5 million kilowatt-hours of green power annually in the U.S., enough to meet the majority of the company's electricity needs.

“Like many of our customers, Autodesk faces the complex challenge of designing efficient, sustainable buildings and facilities, as well as managing them and the resources they consume,” said Lynelle Cameron, senior director of sustainability and philanthropy for Autodesk. “Our investment in green power demonstrates our commitment to sustainability across the lifecycle – from design through operation. Making these purchases is one step we can take to help accelerate the renewable energy sector and help create a better world.”

The purchases qualify Autodesk for EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club, a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded EPA’s minimum purchase requirements. Green Power Leadership Club members must purchase ten times the partnership’s minimum requirement organization-wide.

As part of its sustainable operations strategy, Autodesk buys a combination of renewable energy certificates and utility green power products from Marin Clean Energy, Glacial Energy and 3Degrees. Generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydro, green energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector.

“The EPA welcomes Autodesk as a Green Power Partner and applauds the company’s support for the voluntary renewable energy market,” said Blaine Collison, director of EPA’s Green Power Partnership. “Autodesk is helping to reduce harmful air pollution and demonstrating that using green power is smart for the environment and for business.”

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries – including the last 17 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects – use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com/.

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 electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,300 Partner organizations voluntarily 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.