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.