Kum & Go Receives Silver LEED Certification
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Two of Kum & Go L.C.'s Des Moines-area stores have received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, becoming the first convenience stores in the state of Iowa to obtain the distinction.
The LEED-certified Kum & Go stores are located at 5800 Northglenn Drive in Johnston, Iowa, and 2110 Guthrie St. in Des Moines. The Johnston store is the first convenience store in the Midwest to obtain a Silver LEED certification, the retailer noted.
"Kum & Go is proud to continue our tradition of being marketplace pioneers by becoming the first convenience store in the Midwest to be Silver LEED certified," stated Kyle J. Krause, president and CEO. "In 1997, we were among the first to introduce E85 and hope to have the same industry impact with our LEED construction model. We strongly believe in our practice of environmental responsibility that benefits our customers."
In order to become LEED certified, the Kum & Go stores used regional and recycled materials; improved energy performance; reflected the sun's rays by using extra-white concrete and highly reflective roofs that reduce heating of urban areas; reduced water usage; and improved indoor air quality, according to the company.
"Kum & Go's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), said in a statement. "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Kum & Go serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish."
Kum & Go applied for LEED certification with the U.S. Green Building Council after construction was completed. The council rated the store on a number of categories, including water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design. The two certified Kum & Go stores will serve as pilots for future company LEED builds, the chain reported.
"LEED certification was a natural progression of the efforts we have made the past three years. We made only minor modifications to our design and construction methods to assure LEED certification," stated John Feldman, vice president of construction for Kum & Go. "Our goal is to continue to incorporate these environmental features whenever possible as we construct new stores."
As part of Kum & Go's commitment to developing environmentally friendly building and operating practices, the majority of its new stores are constructed with LEED standards in mind, and all are equipped with heavily insulated glass, LED cooler door lights, sun reflecting roofs, and energy-efficient heating/air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Additional measures for LEED certification include providing alternative transportation options, such as electronic vehicle charging and carpool/van parking; construction waste management; 30-percent water use reduction; and use of materials that do not emit solvent vapors or other harmful chemicals into the store environment.
Kum & Go is the third-largest private owner/operator of convenience stores in the United States, with more than 430 convenience stores throughout 11 states.
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The LEED-certified Kum & Go stores are located at 5800 Northglenn Drive in Johnston, Iowa, and 2110 Guthrie St. in Des Moines. The Johnston store is the first convenience store in the Midwest to obtain a Silver LEED certification, the retailer noted.
"Kum & Go is proud to continue our tradition of being marketplace pioneers by becoming the first convenience store in the Midwest to be Silver LEED certified," stated Kyle J. Krause, president and CEO. "In 1997, we were among the first to introduce E85 and hope to have the same industry impact with our LEED construction model. We strongly believe in our practice of environmental responsibility that benefits our customers."
In order to become LEED certified, the Kum & Go stores used regional and recycled materials; improved energy performance; reflected the sun's rays by using extra-white concrete and highly reflective roofs that reduce heating of urban areas; reduced water usage; and improved indoor air quality, according to the company.
"Kum & Go's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), said in a statement. "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Kum & Go serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish."
Kum & Go applied for LEED certification with the U.S. Green Building Council after construction was completed. The council rated the store on a number of categories, including water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design. The two certified Kum & Go stores will serve as pilots for future company LEED builds, the chain reported.
"LEED certification was a natural progression of the efforts we have made the past three years. We made only minor modifications to our design and construction methods to assure LEED certification," stated John Feldman, vice president of construction for Kum & Go. "Our goal is to continue to incorporate these environmental features whenever possible as we construct new stores."
As part of Kum & Go's commitment to developing environmentally friendly building and operating practices, the majority of its new stores are constructed with LEED standards in mind, and all are equipped with heavily insulated glass, LED cooler door lights, sun reflecting roofs, and energy-efficient heating/air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Additional measures for LEED certification include providing alternative transportation options, such as electronic vehicle charging and carpool/van parking; construction waste management; 30-percent water use reduction; and use of materials that do not emit solvent vapors or other harmful chemicals into the store environment.
Kum & Go is the third-largest private owner/operator of convenience stores in the United States, with more than 430 convenience stores throughout 11 states.
Related News:
Couche-Tard Stations Undergo LED Retrofit
Kwik Trip to Open Another Environmental Store