|
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.
SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
|
