HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE:NRG) and its subsidiary Reliant, the premier retail electricity provider in Texas, have teamed up with the NFL to provide 100% Green-e certified renewable energy to NRG Stadium, site of Super Bowl LI, and the George R. Brown Convention Center, location of the NFL Experience and other NFL celebrations in Houston.
“Reducing the environmental impact of our events is something we have worked toward for more than 20 years,” said Jack Groh, Director of the NFL Environmental Program. “Using clean energy at our largest events, we can minimize the climate impact of our activities. This is something that’s good for business, and good for our fans and the communities where we live.”
“As the official electricity company of NRG Stadium, we are proud to support the NFL and Houston by powering the largest U.S. sporting event with renewable energy certificates together with the onsite efficiency and renewable energy solutions,” said Bruno Sarda, Vice President, Sustainability, NRG. “At NRG, we want fans to benefit from sustainable solutions and together with the NFL, we can demonstrate that even a huge event like the Super Bowl can significantly reduce its energy usage.”
For a period leading up to, during and following the Big Game, for every megawatt hour of electricity used to power these events, NRG and Reliant will purchase and retire one Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) on behalf of Super Bowl LI. The RECs account for the electricity used at NRG Stadium and the George R. Brown Convention Center, supporting renewable energy and the over one hundred thousand fans visiting Houston to celebrate the Super Bowl.
The NRG family of companies includes Houston-based Reliant, and collectively NRG’s retail brands are the largest providers of electricity in Texas. Sustainability solutions at NRG Stadium also include 65,000 energy-efficient LED field lights, which use 60 percent less energy than the stadium’s previous lighting system. NRG Stadium is the sixth professional football facility NRG has upgraded with smart energy technology. To learn more about NRG’s work with stadiums across the country, visit: www.nrg.com/sustainability/campaigns/smart-stadiums
Green-e Energy, a program of the Center for Resource Solutions, is a third-party certification program that guarantees RECs are generated from new renewable facilities and marketed with transparency and accuracy. A REC represents the environmental attributes of power produced from renewable energy projects.
About NRG
NRG is the leading integrated power company in the U.S., built on the strength of the nation’s largest and most diverse competitive electric generation portfolio and leading retail electricity platform. A Fortune 200 company, NRG creates value through best in class operations, reliable and efficient electric generation, and a retail platform serving residential and commercial businesses. Working with electricity customers, large and small, we continually innovate, embrace and implement sustainable solutions for producing and managing energy. We aim to be pioneers in developing smarter energy choices and delivering exceptional service as our retail electricity providers serve almost 3 million residential and commercial customers throughout the country.
About the NFL Environmental Program
The NFL Environmental program began in 1993 with the goal of reducing environmental impact in our host communities and leaving a positive, environmental benefit through our projects and activities. In addition to sourcing renewable energy, the NFL focuses on solid waste recycling, donation of prepared food to local shelters and food banks, collecting leftover materials for donation locally including décor, carpeting, building materials and office supplies and equipment. The annual Super Kids Super Sharing project recruits thousands of local school children who donate their used books, sports equipment and school supplies to children in need in their own community. In partnership with Verizon and the local Host Committee, tens of thousands of dollars in matching urban forestry grants are provided and tens of thousands of pounds of E-waste are collected and recycled responsibly.