WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy is sponsoring an executive roundtable discussion here on Thursday, Feb. 21, with dozens of key retail executives — including representatives of Wal-Mart Stores, Target, Food Lion and Whole Foods Market — to explore how the retail sector can more efficiently manage its energy use. The discussion is considered a first step in forming the Retail Energy Alliance, a consortium aimed at promoting the use of energy-efficient technologies and management practices for retail operations. Wal-Mart, Target, Food Lion and Whole Foods will be joined on the REA steering committee by Home Depot, Staples, Kohl’s, Best Buy, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

Read More of Today's Headlines