The J. C. Penney Company announced late last week that it's breaking ground on its first green building in Farifview, Texas. The design will use recycled and local materials and be energy efficient.

Penney’s hopes to provide a model for large retailers and the building industry for huge green stores, contributing some best practices to the U.S. Green Building Council, administrators of LEED.

The store, to open in August 2009, is expected to use 41 percent less energy than if it were built with standard construction. Its energy-efficient lighting and air-conditioning systems will both be monitored to reach peak efficiency by an energy-management system. The landscaping design will help reduce frequent watering by an estimated 50 percent and should deter polluted runoff from entering local creeks. Plumbing will minimize water use by 20 percent.

The building will be constructed from such materials as recycled cotton and denim, along with wood and concrete that originates within 500 miles of Fairview. The idea is to create jobs and reduce future greenhouse gases and air-pollutants.

Penney’s attitude is “every day matters.” It certainly will for environmental health.