Constellation Energy Serves up Wind Power for the 2008 US Open
Green-e certified wind Renewable Energy Certificates will match electricity usage during the world renowned tennis tournament
Constellation Energy today announced that its subsidiary, Constellation NewEnergy (CNE), is helping to turn the court green at the 2008 US Open in Flushing, N.Y. CNE will supply an estimated 2,000 Green-e certified wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to match the electricity consumption at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for the duration of the US Open held Aug. 25-Sept. 7, 2008.
“We’re proud to be serving this year’s US Open with clean, wind-generated energy,” said Michael Kagan, president of Constellation NewEnergy. “By matching their electricity usage with renewable energy, the USTA and other sports associations across America are helping to lead the effort to address the environmental and energy challenges we face around the globe.”
“Big-time sporting events provide a unique platform to educate our fans on green initiatives, and we feel that the best way we can educate is to lead by example,” said Arlen Kantarian, chief executive officer, Pro Tennis, USTA. “We have a plan that will lessen the environmental impact of the event and heighten the environmental awareness of those who attend it.”
CNE has a successful track record of providing sources of renewable energy to sporting events and venues across the country. For example, last year CNE and The Kraft Group announced their collaboration to secure wind RECs to match the electricity usage at Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots, before, during and after all pre-season, regular and post-season home games. The electricity usage at the 2007 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship was also matched with RECs by CNE. This was the first-ever PGA TOUR or Champions Tour event to be powered fully by renewable energy. This year, CNE also supplied RECs to match the electricity usage at the 2008 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship.
CNE offers a suite of sustainable solutions including demand response programs and renewable energy resources. At the US Open, CNE will be supplying RECs generated from the wind. A REC represents the clean air benefits from electricity generated from a wind, solar or other renewable power facility. Organizations may use RECs to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and help support the operation and development of domestic sources of cleaner, renewable energy.
Source: Constellation Energy
