Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
provided by 
11.20.2008 - 07:21am ET
News from:
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Makes Major Commitment to Renewable Wind Power
Power purchase equivalent to annual usage of more than 20,000 average American homes
(CSRwire) BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today Wal-Mart Stores,
Inc. (NYSE: WMT), announced its first substantial purchase of wind energy
in the U.S. The wind power will supply up to 15 percent of the retailer's
total energy load in approximately 360 Texas stores and other facilities.
The renewable energy will come from a Duke Energy wind farm under
construction in Notrees, Texas, and is expected to begin producing
electricity for Wal-Mart by April of 2009.
"We're purchasing renewable power at traditional energy rates," said Kim
Saylors-Laster, vice president of energy for Wal-Mart. "The wind power
purchase will result in a significant decrease of greenhouse gas emissions
and aligns perfectly with Wal-Mart's long-term goal of being supplied by
100 percent renewable energy."
The project will provide roughly 226 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of
renewable power each year or the energy equivalent of washing 108 million
loads of laundry -- enough for every household in Austin, Texas to do
laundry for a year. By purchasing this amount of clean, renewable energy,
Wal-Mart will avoid producing more than 139,000 metric tons of carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions per year. This is equal to taking approximately
25,000 cars off the road or eliminating the CO2 produced by 18,000 homes
annually.
"Wal-Mart's action shows that low-carbon technology is increasingly
competitive and long-term sustainability is a winning business strategy,"
said Andrew Aulisi, director of the markets & enterprise program at the
World Resources Institute. "Wal-Mart's smart and innovative approach
should be used more widely."
The wind purchase is another example of Wal-Mart's ongoing commitment to
become a more sustainable company and serves as a complement to its solar
project announced last year. In May 2007, Wal-Mart announced it would
equip up to 22 locations in Hawaii and California with solar panels.
Wal-Mart estimates the solar power systems are helping reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by 6,500-10,000 metric tons per year.
By integrating wind power into its electricity load, Wal-Mart is building
on its diversified energy portfolio and creating more opportunities for
advancements in clean energy through research and innovations. This power
purchase in the deregulated market territory in Texas is expected to
support the creation of green jobs at the West Texas facility. Wal-Mart
will use the results of its wind power purchase to explore additional ways
to achieve its goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart discount stores, supercenters,
Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club locations in the United States. The
Company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and
the United Kingdom and, through a joint venture, in India. The Company's
securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WMT.
More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartstores.com.
Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.
For more information please contact:
Kory Lundberg
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
1-800-331-0085
News Categories:
Renewable/Alternative Energy and Environment
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