Phillies to Lead the Way in Clean Energy Movement at Professional Sports Venues

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PHILADELPHIA, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials from Major League Baseball, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green-e Energy and WindStreet Energy, as well as Governor Edward G. Rendell and Mayor Michael Nutter, joined the Phillies in announcing a major initiative at Citizens Bank Park to aid in the efforts for a cleaner environment.

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To offset the carbon footprint created by the team's utility power usage at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies have purchased 20 million kilowatt-hours of Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). According to the EPA, this is the largest single purchase of 100% renewable energy in professional sports and is equivalent to the planting of 100,000 trees.

The Phillies are the first Major League Baseball team to join the EPA's Green Power Partnership (GPP) program, a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. According to the EPA, the team is the third largest Green Power Partner inPhiladelphia and seventh largest Green Power Partner inPennsylvania.

"EPA applauds the Philadelphia Phillies for 'playing ball' and protecting our environment by purchasing green power," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By being the first MLB team to join the Green Power Partnership, the Phillies have hit a grand slam for the environment."

"We are proud of the Phillies for showing such a strong environmental commitment in buying Green-e Certified Renewable Energy," said Arthur O'Donnell, Executive Director of the Center for Resource Solutions, which administers the Green-e program. "As the first Major League Baseball team to take responsibility for the impact of their electricity use by investing in clean, renewable energy, they are showing real environmental leadership. We hope other clubs take their lead, because this is a game in which everyone can be a winner."

This initiative also reinforces Major League Baseball's "Team Greening Program" and its commitment to support and coordinate the many environmentally sensitive practices at each ballclub, created in partnership with the National Resources Defense Council.

"The Phillies' commitment to renewable energy and ecologically intelligent operations will hopefully set an example for all institutions inPhiladelphia and beyond to follow," said Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, senior scientist with the NRDC. "The fact is that we will successfully address the threats posed by global warming and biodiversity loss only if every consumer, and every organization, moves towards ecologically intelligent purchasing. The Phillies are doing that, and hopefully their millions of fans will do the same."

"We're proud to join Major League Baseball in bringing awareness to fans about how to become more environmentally conscious," said Phillies President David Montgomery.

PARTNERING FOR A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT

The Phillies' efforts for a cleaner environment have been in collaboration with Citizens Bank Park operators Global Spectrum, a Comcast-Spectacor subsidiary, and ARAMARK, the Phillies food and beverage provider -- which have both been instrumental in the following initiatives:

RECYCLING & OTHER GREEN INITIATIVES

Global Spectrum, ARAMARK and the Phillies have also implemented the following:

    -- Food-Related: The recycling of frying oil to be used as bio-diesel
       fuel; recycling glass, plastic and cardboard generated from game day
       preparation and sales; using carry-out trays that are 100 percent
       post-consumer fiber; providing bio-degradable serviceware and cups;
       utilizing plastics that are easier to recycle; using compostable
       products; reducing amount of condiment packaging waste by providing
       dispensers instead of individual packets; and using locally grown
       produce and organic foods.
    -- Building-Related: The recycling of cardboard, paper, fluorescent lamps,
       lighting ballasts, plastic, aluminum and glass bottles; utilizing
       environmental-friendly cleaning products as well as a "bio-enzyme"
       which eats grease trapped in kitchen drain pipes; utilizing energy
       conservation using the Building Management System and Light Control
       System; universal waste recycling; converting to LED lighting
       (which uses 80% less power and lasts years longer than traditional
       incandescent bulbs); right-sizing trashcan liners; and re-using rain
       run-off water for landscaping and field irrigation.
    -- Recyclable Containers: 35 oversized, 80-gallon recyclable containers
       will be placed throughout the ballpark for fans to utilize and aid in
       recycling efforts.
    -- "Red Goes Green Cards" for Phillies Employees: All full-time Phillies
       employees, including players and coaches, will receive a one-year
       credit to secure clean, renewable energy for their home consumption,
       compliments of the Phillies and WindStreet Energy.

FAN AWARENESS

To help build fan awareness of the importance of going green, the Phillies are implementing several initiatives to urge fans to get involved in caring for their community.

    -- Green Caps: Symbolizing their commitment, the entire Phillies team will
       wear green baseball caps as they take on the San Diego Padres tonight
       (April 30) at 7:05 p.m.
    -- Red Goes Green Cards: At tonight's game (April 30), 100 lucky fans will
       receive a one-year credit to secure clean renewable energy for their
       home consumption, compliments of the Phillies and WindStreet Energy.
    -- Red Goes Green Team: Captained by the Phillies Ballgirls, the Red Goes
       Green Team will feature volunteers from local colleges and community
       organizations who will collect recyclable materials from the seating
       bowl throughout each game. All Red Goes Green Team members will wear
       green aprons so they are easily identified and an announcement will be
       made pre-game to fans to look for the Green Team and take part in the
       Phillies' recycling efforts.
    -- Red Goes Green Tips: Fans are invited to go to
       http://www.phillies.com/redgoesgreen for tips on how to make the
       environment a better place. Red Goes Green tips will also be posted on
       the scoreboard during each game at Citizens Bank Park.

About Green-e Energy

Green-e Energy is the nation's leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy. This voluntary consumer-protection program verifies superior, certified renewable energy options offered by utilities and marketers in the retail market. Three types of renewable energy options are eligible for Green-e Energy certification: Competitive Electricity Products, Utility Green Pricing Programs, and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

About Green-e Marketplace

Green-e Marketplace provides forward-thinking companies with a simple, nationally recognized tool they can use to communicate their commitment to renewable energy to their customers and shareholders. The Green-e logo is the nation's leading symbol of renewable energy excellence and distinguishes Green-e Marketplace participants as environmental leaders. Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e offers certification and verification of renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products through Green-e Energy, the renewable energy certification program; Green-e Climate, the greenhouse gas emission reduction certification program; and Green-e Marketplace, a labeling for organizations that purchase or generate sufficient quantities of renewable energy. To learn more about Green-e certified products and programs available in all 50 states, visit http://www.green-e.org.

For more info, go to http://www.phillies.com/redgoesgreen.

SOURCE Philadelphia Phillies

Tags: Tags: Environment, Sports, National, pennsylvania

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Phillies to Lead the Way in Clean Energy Movement at Professional Sports Venues