J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (Plano, Texas) has broken ground on a 115,000-square-foot store in Fairview, Texas, that it said will cost about 10 percent more to build but is expected to use 41 percent less energy than its similar-size stores.
Penney is seeking LEED certification for the store, which is scheduled to open in August 2009. It will be Penney's first to obtain the nationally accepted benchmark issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.
According to The Dallas Morning News, the Fairview store is getting a reflective white roof and energy-efficient lighting. Recycled construction materials are being used, including cotton insulation made from recycled denim. Plumbing fixtures will reduce water consumption by 20 percent. Construction waste will be recycled instead of going in local landfills.
Chairman and ceo Myron Ullman said new ideas, which include solar and wind power projects in California, New Jersey and Colorado, eventually will cost less to implement and will lower operating costs.