Wheels in motion for Wal-Mart experiment

[jpak]

http://www.courier-gazette.com/articles/2007/01/12/mckinney_courier-gazette/news/anews02.txt

Some of the solar energy technology at the McKinney Wal-Mart experimental store could be popping up in stores all around the country later this year.

Wal-Mart has started seeking bids to install some of the solar energy practices from their experimental “green” stores in McKinney and Aurora, Colo., to other stores in their nationwide chain.

Joel Makower of Oakland, Calif., a corporate environmental writer, speaker and strategist and executive editor of GreenBiz.com, first obtained a copy of the company's “request for proposal” (RFP) from a confidential source and made it public on his “Two Steps Forward” blog at www.makower.com. He said the RFP seeks to implement solar energy technology at stores in five states including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii and New Jersey.

<snip>

“Wal-Mart is investigating and making a serious play in solar energy,” Makower said. “In other words, they're trying to figure how and where to use it and this invites proposals and bids for up to 340 stores, according to my accounting.”

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[Buzz Clik]

1. WalMart is taking a beating in their PR and finances, and now this "leak"...

Uh. Yeah.

It's great that they're finding more ways to save money. Maybe they can re-invest their energy savings into merchandise that doesn't suck.

[peacebird]

2. WalMart is simultaneously rolling out a payroll plan that will be devastating to employees

I like solar. I like organic. I like saving money. I like being "green".

And I do NOT CARE that WalMart is selling some "organic" or putting solar panels on. I still will NOT shop there.

They can pull a Tammy Baker and load the makeup on with a spatula, but no matter how much lipstick they apply - it's still a PIG. A totally craven corporate swine which has defamed Sam and his good intentions.

Remember how WalMart used to proudly sell only American made?