In an effort to become more environmentally friendly, the Durham Bulls have unveiled two new programs at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park this season.
The Bulls and NC GreenPower, an independent, nonprofit organization established to improve North Carolina’s environment through voluntary contributions toward renewable energy, created a partnership in which the electricity used in the Durham Bulls suite level and to power the left field video board is being offset with purchases of renewable energy credits. NC GreenPower has taken naming rights to the suite level, including a re-design of the elevator vestibule filled with interesting facts about renewable resources. They also serve as sponsor of the left field video board and were the sponsor of the Bulls’ Earth Day game on April 22nd.
“This is really a great partnership,” Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said, “We not only get to help the environment by purchasing the renewable energy credits, but we can help NC GreenPower get their message out about renewable energy options.”
A landmark initiative approved by the N.C. Utilities Commission, NC GreenPower is the first statewide green energy program in the nation supported by all the state’s utilities and administered by Advanced Energy, an independent nonprofit corporation located in Raleigh, N.C.
The goal of NC GreenPower is to supplement the state’s existing power supply with more green energy – electricity generated from renewable resources like the sun, wind and organic matter. The program accepts financial contributions from North Carolina citizens and businesses to help offset the cost to produce green energy.
A typical contribution of just $4 per month adds one block of 100 kilowatt-hours of green energy to North Carolina’s power supply. Large-volume users – usually from the corporate sector – may contribute towards 100 or more blocks at a rate of $2.50 per block with a different energy mix.
Also new in 2008, the City of Durham signed a new agreement with Waste Industries providing fans with the ability to recycle cardboard, aluminum, plastic and glass bottles while at the game. The city leased recycle bins located throughout the stadium, including the main concourse, the seating bowl and the suite level.
Thanks to DBBC’s Matt DeMargel for this capcom story & graphic.
