Green Mountain is Official Green Energy Provider and fall 2012 sponsor of the downtown park’s popular Thursday Concert Series
HOUSTON, TX- Discovery Green, Houston’s 12-acre park, continues to serve as an urban role model in sustainability by choosing renewable energy from Green Mountain Energy Company. Discovery Green renewed their agreement with Green Mountain, the nation’s leading competitive retail provider of cleaner energy, to purchase electricity generated from 100 percent wind energy to power all of the park’s electricity needs, including concerts, events, lighting and operations. Green Mountain will also be the presenting sponsor for Discovery Green’s Thursday Concert series, taking place September 13 – October 25, 2012.
“Discovery Green was developed with a commitment to high environmental standards and operational efficiency – it is part of our core values,” said Barry Mandel, President and Park Director of Discovery Green Conservancy. “Our partnership with Green Mountain, who has been our renewable energy supplier since the park’s inception in 2008, helps us achieve our commitment to environmental sustainability.”
Environmental impact from choosing renewable energy:
- Since becoming a Green Mountain customer in 2008, Discovery Green has avoided 10.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through its use of renewable energy. That’s the same amount of CO2 absorbed annually by trees covering an area 80 times the size of Discovery Green
- Over the next two years, by purchasing over 4.3 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of wind energy from Green Mountain, Discovery Green will avoid an additional 4.8 million pounds of CO₂ .
In addition, approximately 9 percent of the park’s power is generated by solar panels located on the roofs of the Alkek Building and The Lake House Café.
“In name and vision, Discovery Green brings a commitment to green living and sustainable operations,” said Scott Hart, President of Commercial Services, Green Mountain Energy Company. “Since day one, Discovery Green has been powered by renewable energy from Green Mountain and we’re proud to serve as the park’s Official Green Energy Provider.”
From the earliest stages of planning, Discovery Green has been designed to use the latest technology in green building methods, energy conservation, and sustainable park operations. Discovery Green has earned a Gold rating from the LEED Green Building Rating System, which is the national benchmark for the design, construction, and operations of high-performance green buildings.
Infinity Power Partners, a Houston based energy management and consulting firm, assisted Discovery Green in structuring, facilitating, and executing the sponsorship and commercial electricity contracts with Green Mountain.
“Selecting Green Mountain as a sponsor and exclusive electricity provider to Discovery Green seemed to be a perfect fit from the start,” said Peter Selber, Managing Partner of Infinity Power Partners. “This exciting partnership bodes well for both organizations given their joint commitment to the environment and the sustainability of the greater Houston community.”
Discovery Green
Discovery Green, a 12-acre park located at 1500 McKinney in Downtown Houston, was created by a public-private partnership between the City of Houston and the non-profit Discovery Green Conservancy. Since the park opened in April 2008, it has welcomed more than 4 million visitors and hosted more than 1,600 public and private events. The Discovery Green Conservancy works with hundreds of programming partners to present three dynamic programming seasons each year most of which are FREE and open to the public. As a non-profit organization, the Conservancy raises all the funds needed for the programming that Houstonians enjoy. For more information visit www.discoverygreen.com.
Infinity Power Partners, LLC
Infinity Power Partners is an energy management and consulting firm whose mission is to provide procurement and risk management services, on-going market insight, and continuous account maintenance through the development of client specific strategies. With over 50 years of combined industry expertise, IPP offers a unique transparent and technical approach ensuring their clients energy related needs are always fulfilled. For more information, visit www.infinitypowerpartners.com or contact Managing Partner Peter Selber at peter@infinitypowerpartners.com.
Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain is the nation’s leading competitive retail provider of cleaner energy and believes in using wind, sun and water for good. Founded in 1997, the company celebrates 15 years delivering on the mission to “change the way power is made” and is the longest serving green power marketer in the nation. Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products from renewable sources, as well as a variety of carbon offset products and sustainable solutions for businesses. One of Green Mountain’s largest customers is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 19.4 billion pounds of CO2 emissions. As a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG), Green Mountain is backed by one of the nation’s largest renewable power producers. Visit us online at www.GreenMountain.com and learn more about our campaign for good at www.greenmountain.com/forgood.
###
