Pittsburgh Penguins Aim To Make New Consol Energy Center First LEED Gold Certified Arena

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Sports & Exhibition Authority are working to achieve LEED Gold Certification at the new Consol Energy Center. It would be the first NHL arena to be LEED Gold.

 

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nationally-accepted standard for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. LEED ratings are based on a points system that measures such categories as energy and atmosphere, building materials and resources, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design.

 

“Green initiatives are very important to the Penguins organization and to the NHL. We committed early on in this project that we would be at least LEED Certified, and now we have established a goal of reaching LEED Gold,” said Penguins CEO Ken Sawyer. “The Consol Energy Center would be the first NHL arena to be LEED Gold, and one of the first such arenas in major professional sports.”

 

“Southwestern Pennsylvania is a national leader in sustainable development and environmental stewardship, and my administration is continually working to keep us ahead of the curve,” said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato. “Our goal has been to build a green arena, and today, we are announcing that we plan to exceed that goal by pursuing LEED Gold Certification. We’re already home to the first LEED Gold Certified convention center in the U.S., and soon we’ll boast the first LEED Gold Certified arena in the NHL. I want to congratulate the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sports & Exhibition Authority for their strong commitment to sustainability and for setting a great example for future developments.”

 

“What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with an announcement that our new state-of-the-art arena is going green,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. “This sends the message to residents and Penguins fans across the nation that we are the black, gold and green City.”

 

“The National Hockey League is committed to meeting green operating standards through its ‘Keep The Ice From Melting’ program, and I commend the Pittsburgh Penguins for taking a leadership role in working to achieve LEED Gold Certification for their new home, the Consol Energy Center,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

 

The Consol Energy Center is scheduled to be ready for the start of the 2010-11 NHL season.

 

NewsClips: Penguin Fans Will See Gold In Green Arena