SECAUCUS, NJ – Sept. 24, 2012 – A recent report by the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) and the Vote Solar Initiative (Vote Solar), lists Hartz Mountain Industries among the top 20 commercial solar power users in the U.S. alongside some of America’s most iconic brands and biggest businesses including WalMart Stores, Kohl’s and IKEA.

Hartz ranked 19^th in the report based on the five solar systems for which Hartz is the direct user of the electricity generated. However, supplementing this total with an additional 10 systems for which Hartz’s tenants are the direct users of the electricity generated would have moved Hartz’s ranking to 9^th place, and the addition of Hartz’s 8.5 MW Solar Farm in Hamilton, NJ would have increased Hartz’s ranking to 5^th place.

Hartz’s solar portfolio now stands at a total of 17.5 MW, annually generating enough electricity to power 2,400 New Jersey homes.

“Solar power represents both a means to be kinder to the earth by reducing pollution and is a significant factor in reducing our operational expenses,” said Emanuel Stern, President and Chief Operating Officer for Hartz Mountain Industries. “It is a key component to our sustainability efforts that benefits both Hartz Mountain Industries and our tenants who have taken advantage of our solar power program.”

For photos of the Hamilton Solar Farm, click here, and for photos of the solar paneling projects, click here. For a copy of the SEIA/Vote Solar Report, click here. For more information about Hartz’s solar initiatives, please visit the Green Building and Sustainability Initiative at www.hartzmountain.com.

About Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. Headquartered in Secaucus, NJ, Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. owns and manages one of the largest privately held commercial real estate portfolios in the United States, comprised of approximately 200 properties and totaling more than 38 million sq. ft. in the northern New Jersey/New York area. Just recently, Hartz acquired a four-property apartment portfolio, marking its entrance into the residential market. Hartz strives to remain at the forefront of commercial, industrial, retail, hotel, and most recently, residential development by employing a comprehensive approach to real estate that is facilitated by its full-scale in-house departments for leasing, management, finance, acquisition, architecture, construction, development, planning, marketing, design and property management.

In the past few years, Hartz has led the “green” way through a comprehensive program to reduce waste and energy use, while increasing clean energy production via investments in solar energy. Hartz has been recognized by NJPA Real Estate Journal as the “Best Developer of 2004”; Business News New Jersey (NJBIZ) as one of the best places to work in New Jersey for 2004 and 2005; New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) for the “Environmental Quality Award”; two awards for its energy efficiency practices in 2010 from Builders Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of New Jersey, and NJBIZ recognized President and Chief Operating Officer Emanuel Stern as the “Green Executive of the Year.” Mr. Stern also won the 2009 Industry Service Award from the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit Hartz’s website at www.hartzmountain.com.