NHL to Offset League's Total Carbon Footprint
The National Hockey League announced a new partnership with Constellation, an energy and services company, that makes the company its official preferred energy provider. The league calls it the most significant environmental partnership of any sports league in the world.
The National Hockey League announced a new partnership with Constellation, an energy and services company, that makes the company its official preferred energy provider. The league calls it the most significant environmental partnership of any sports league in the world, one that will allow the NHL to offset 550,000 metric tons of carbon generated from all 2014-15 league activities, including travel, for all of its 30 clubs and partners. The partners will audit and analyze operations for all clubs to determine how to reduce emissions and implement energy management strategies for the league's facilities.
"Our partnership with Constellation advances our commitment to promoting responsible energy use by the NHL, including our teams, our venues, and our fans," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "Our sport was born on frozen ponds and relies on winter weather. Everyone who loves our game will benefit by taking an active role in preserving the environment and the roots of the game."
"Constellation is proud to partner with the NHL to achieve its energy and environmental goals and, like the NHL, we are committed to a clean energy future," said Joe Nigro, CEO of Constellation. "Not only does Constellation offer sustainable energy options to our customers; together with our parent company, Exelon, we've also dramatically reduced our carbon footprint. By promoting responsible energy use, the NHL is setting an example for the sports industry, fans and communities."
Their announcement said the league and Constellation will work together to promote efficient energy use throughout the league and at key events throughout the season, including the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® (taking place Jan. 1 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., and featuring the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks), 2015 Honda NHL® All-Star Game, 2015 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™, and the 2015 Stanley Cup® Playoffs. Constellation also will be the presenting sponsor of NHL Live™ Powered by Constellation on NHL Network.
"The NHL and Constellation are leading a cultural shift in sports toward ecologically responsible energy practices," said Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, president of the Green Sports Alliance. "This partnership confirms that responsible environmental stewardship can be profitable and attractive to millions of fans. Hopefully this partnership will influence other businesses and fans alike to embrace renewable energy options which are so desperately needed to protect our planet."
The agreement furthers the objectives of the NHL's 2014 Sustainability Report, which documented the league's carbon footprint, and NHL Green, which is a comprehensive sustainability initiative created by the league in 2010 to address the effects of climate change and freshwater scarcity on the sport of hockey.
For more information on NHL Green and the league's sustainability initiatives, visit NHL.com/Green.