Home Depot cuts energy use at stores

Home Depot says it has cut energy use at U.S. stores by about 16 percent since 2004, and the giant chain's goal is 20 percent by 2015.

The energy the company has saved so far could power 203,000 homes for one year, Home Depot said.

The nation's third largest retailer also wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its U.S. supply chain by 20 percent within the next five years.

The Atlanta-based retailer reduced energy in part by aligning stocking hours with store hours and installing more efficient light bulbs. Next, Home Depot said it will upgrade heating and air condition units and install white roofs to deflect heat at some stores.

Last week, Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores, made a similar announcement. The nation's largest retailer said it wants to cut 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas from its global supply chain within five years. Kohl's and BrandsMart also have announced initiatives to reduce energy usage at some stores.

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