Nationals' ballpark earns LEED Silver

WASHINGTON -- The District of Columbia Sports and Entertainment Commission has offset 70% of the electricity use at Nationals Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals, with its purchase of 14.6 million kWh of renewable energy credits, from Boulder, Colo.-based Renewable Choice Energy. The renewable energy credit has helped the ballpark to achieve Silver-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

In addition to its investment in renewable energy, the ballpark features green design elements such as:

● Water-conserving plumbing fixtures, reducing overall water consumption by 30%
● Recycled materials in 20% of the ballpark’s construction
● A 6,300-sq.ft. green roof beyond left field to collect rain water and minimize roof heat gain
● High-efficiency field lighting, saving 21% over typical field lighting
● Recycling bins for fan use throughout the ballpark

“The D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission’s commitment to building a green ballpark is a great example of how organizations can help drive our nation’s renewable energy infrastructure,” said Quayle Hodek, CEO of Renewable Choice Energy. “We’re proud to play a role in Major League Baseball’s first LEED-certified building.”

The commission oversaw the stadium’s construction and now serves as its landlord. The architectural firm, HOK Sport, designed the ballpark and managed the LEED certification process. Nationals Park opened on Mar. 30, 2008, and is the first MLB stadium to be LEED-certified.

The LEED rating system was designed by the U.S. Green Building Council to guide and distinguish high-performance buildings that have less of an impact on the environment and are healthier for building occupants. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Boulder, Colo.-based Renewable Choice Energy (www.renewablechoice.com) is a full-service provider of renewable energy and carbon offsets. The firm has completed more than 400 projects nationwide.