Content about Renewable Energy

RACINE, Wis. — SC Johnson, a leader in sustainability, has received the Renewable Energy Customer-Generator of the Year award from Renew Wisconsin.

Renew Wisconsin is an independent nonprofit organization that leads and represents businesses, organizations and individuals who want cleaner, renewable energy in the state. It recognized SC Johnon for its achievements in using renewable energy in its global manufacturing operations.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has unveiled its first onsite large-scale wind turbine pilot project at  its distribution center in Red Bluff, Calif. The wind turbine, expected to be operational by this fall, will provide roughly one megawatt of power or 15% to 20% of the distribution center's yearly electrical use.

NEW YORK — Walmart plans to install solar panels on about half of its stores in Massachusetts, making it the largest user of solar power in the state.

Walmart is partnering with Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC, Middletown, Conn., on the project, which involves 27 stores.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Significant waste reduction and greater use of renewable energy are detailed in Walmart’s just-released fifth annual Global Responsibility Report (GRR). Entitled “Beyond 50 Years: Building a Sustainable Future,” the report highlights the chain’s global top 10 list of achievements to reduce its impact on the environment, improve efficiency in its supply chain and stores, and address social issues.

Walmart is poised to top EPA’s Green Power Partnership rankings within a few years as renewable energy sources account for an increasing percentage of the company’s usage.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Ikea demonstrated the retail industry's commitment to the environment and sustainability by taking part in Climate Week, which is taking place in New York City this week. Ikea U.S. president Mike Ward was part of a 6-person sustainability panel held at 7 World Trade Center on Sept 19. Others on the panel included NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg and former British prime minister Tony Blair.

Being supplied by 100% renewable energy sounded like a lofty goal when it was identified as one of Walmart’s top three sustainability priorities in late 2005, but as other retailers have demonstrated, it is an attainable goal.

WASHINGTON -- Kohl’s Corp. ranked second on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership’s latest ranking of the Top 50 partners using the most renewable electricity.

Kohl’s joined the top-ranking Intel as the only two partners using more than 1 billion kWh of green power. The retailer increased its green power purchase to more than 1.4 billion kWh of green power annually.

Walmart announced that it will add solar-generating systems to another 20 to 30 sites in California and Arizona, and the majority of these locations will feature new lighter, lower-cost thin film solar technology. The new solar power systems will be designed, installed, owned and maintained by SolarCity, Foster City, Calif.

"Developing and incorporating new renewable energy sources, like thin film, reduces energy price risk and aligns very well with our commitment to solving business challenges through technology," said Kim Saylors Laster, Walmart VP energy.