It's Alive!

We are pleased to announce that our website remodel has finally been completed and our site is now active. Some updating is still to come, so please be patient with us as we finish up. We'd like say  Thank You to Kris Russell at Plese Printing for helping us out by building and designing our new site. 

If your company is in need of a website face lift or you need a website built for your company Kris at Plese Printing is definitely the way to go!

To check out our new site click here.

Green Tips, Tricks & Facts: Fall means Football and Energy Savings

As a WSU Alum, it should comes as no surprise to you all that I love Fall, because it means it's time to pack up  my car and drive the 76miles back to Pullman, to stand side by side with the rest of Cougar Nation to show our never ending support and love for the Cougs. My boss Jon, the President/Owner of Pro, and I were excitedly anticipating Cougar football like a child does Christmas. If you are wondering if we'll be making the drive this Saturday to Pullman for the first home game, the answer is a resounding Heck Yes! We might be a little more excited this year than in years past and not just because we have a legend for a football coach or an outstanding QB and leader in Tuel, it's because this year we will be running an ad in the game day program! As Cougar Alumni we feel it's our job to show our support anyway we can, so if you are at the game on Saturday make sure to look for our ad in the program.

Pro Mechanical's Ad in the WSU Game Day Program

I was checking my email this morning with football on my brain, so imagine my joy when I found out I wasn't alone. As an energy partner we get monthly newsletters from Avista Utilities. This month's energy feature is a gem! The Energy Solutions article this month features the NFL and how they are tackling sustainability at their stadiums nation wide, including Centurylink Field, home to none other than the Seattle Seahawks! I've posted the article below for your reading enjoyment!

The NFL Tackles Sustainability

Key Points

• The NFL promotes sustainability and energy efficiency at league facilities and events.
• Newer stadiums have been designed and built with a focus on reducing waste and conserving energy.
• Soldier Field in Chicago, the league's oldest stadium, became the first to earn LEED green building certification. 

Source: www.dot.gov

The National Football League (NFL) is big business. Each week, millions tune in to watch pin-point passing and bone-crunching tackles. While the NFL sets the standard in high-performance play, it has also taken the lead in energy efficiency and sustainability. In 2008, the league formed the NFL Green Team Committee to share best practices and reduce the environmental impact at NFL facilities and events.
At the league's premier event, the Super Bowl, renewable energy credits (RECs) are used to offset all energy used, and thousands of native tree seedlings are planted in the host community. In addition, a number of NFL franchises are saving energy and reducing their impact on the environment through green initiatives.

Philadelphia Takes an Early Lead in Sustainability 

The Philadelphia Eagles were among the first NFL teams to embrace energy conservation and sustainability, launching their Go Green initiative in 2003. Through this program of energy, water, and waste reduction, the team has reduced electricity consumption by half and saved more than $3 million since 2005, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The franchise is currently designing a renewable energy system made up of 11,000 solar panels, 14 wind turbines, and a bio-fuel generator that will allow it to power the stadium with renewable energy only. (George 2012)

New Stadiums Score Big in Energy Savings 

MetLife Stadium, the home field of the New York Giants and New York Jets, was constructed in a unique partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that established goals for energy-saving and sustainable design, construction, and operation. Energy-saving features include ENERGY STAR certified concession equipment, heating and cooling systems, and lighting, all of which use 25% to 50% less energy. An automated lighting control system reduces energy consumption through a central system, while high-performance, low-e coated windows reduce heat gain and provide improved insulation. Overall, MetLife Stadium is 30% more efficient than the old stadium. Through energy conservation and other green initiatives, such as recycling and water conservation, the organization has saved an estimated $15.5 million. (EPA 2012)

CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, includes a 3,750 panel solar array on its adjacent Event Center. The array covers 80% of the roof's surface and generates more than 830,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year; enough to power nearly 100 Seattle homes. Other green features include an energy-saving cool roof, high-performance heating and cooling systems, energy-efficient lighting, and low-flow water fixtures. The combined projects are expected to result in energy savings of 21%. (CenturyLink Field 2011)

Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was completed in 2009. The facility's sustainable features include seating made from recycled plastic material, as well as a translucent retractable roof that saves energy by maximizing daylight. Overall goals for the stadium are to reduce energy use by 20%, solid waste by 25%, and water consumption by one million gallons each year.

What Is Old Is Green Again 

While the league's newer venues have been designed and constructed with a focus on sustainability, the NFL's oldest stadium may also be the greenest. Soldier Field in Chicago, built in 1924, recently became the first NFL stadium to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED certification is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council to facilities that have achieved high performance in sustainability, energy efficiency, and water conservation.
 

References

CenturyLink Field. "Solar Panels to Help Power Qwest Field Event Center." Press Release. May 17, 2011.

George, John. "NRG to Power Philadelphia Eagles Stadium in Solar Wind Deal." Philadelphia Business Journal. March 2, 2012.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Smarter Business: Greening the Games. http://www.nrdc.org/greenbusiness/guides/sports/eagles.asp (accessed August 1, 2012)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). MetLife Stadium Environmental Assessment: MOU Semi-Annual Report. February 22, 2012.

Big thanks to Avista Utilities for passing this great article along to me!