Wal-Mart plans new crop of energy-efficient stores

Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores announced it will be opening the first of four second generation, high efficiency stores in Romeoville, Ill., on Jan. 23. The stores will use 25 percent less energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using 90 percent less refrigerant, the company said.

The new stores will incorporate what the company has learned from its first generation of high efficiency stores (HE.1) combined with new technologies, including white roofs, low-flow bathroom faucets, LED lights and an advanced daylight harvesting system, the company said.

“We’ve learned a lot since we opened our first HE.1 store one year ago, and we are excited to put what we have learned into practice with the HE.2,” said Charles Zimmerman, vp-prototype and new format development at Wal-Mart. “The secondary loop system is ideal because it not only makes the store more efficient, but also allows us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Leslie Dach, Wal-Mart’s executive vp-corporate affairs and government relations, made the announcement at the National Retail Federation’s 97th Annual Convention & Expo in New York City.

“These stores are another solid step toward achieving our environmental commitments,” said Dach. “We will continue to find new ways to build stores that have a reduced impact on the environment and ultimately reach a day when every new store is 25 to 30 percent more energy efficient than it was in 2005.”