CONSOL Energy Center Is First NHL Arena To Achieve LEED Gold Certification

In particular, Sawyer praised the efforts of design and construction partners Populous, PJ Dick/Hunt, ICON and Astorino.

Of its 42 points, CONSOL Energy Center received nine points for sustainable sites, nine for indoor environmental quality, eight for energy and atmosphere, seven for materials and resources, five for innovation in design and four for water efficiency.  The project received high marks for water use reduction, recycled materials, regional materials, demolition and construction waste diversion, certified wood and energy efficiency.

“CONSOL Energy Center’s LEED Gold Certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and Founding Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and CONSOL Energy Center serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish.”

“I am thrilled that Pittsburgh is the first city to have its NHL team playing at a LEED Gold multi-purpose arena,” Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said. “As we get ready to celebrate the grand opening of CONSOL Energy Center, this announcement will send the message to residents and Penguins fans at home and across the world that we are indeed the black, gold and green city.”“One of our goals was to make this one of the greenest multi-purpose arenas in the country, and I want to congratulate the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Sports & Exhibition Authority, and everyone who was involved in the construction for achieving the LEED Gold certification,” said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato. “The CONSOL Energy Center is further proof of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s position as a national leader in sustainable development and environmental stewardship and sets a great example for future developments.”

“When Penguins fans watch the first puck drop next month, they’ll be sitting in the NHL’s newest and ‘greenest’ venue,” said Governor Edward G. Rendell. “The sustainable building practices that helped the center to achieve LEED Gold certification truly make this facility a world-class arena for Pittsburgh’s world-class hockey fans, and set a great example for future facilities of this type.”

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, whose help through the entire new arena project was invaluable, added, “The National Hockey League is extremely proud of this accomplishment, which reaffirms the standard of excellence that permeates the Penguins’ organization. The Penguins want their home to feature the very best of everything – not only for the team of today and the fans of today but for future generations who will benefit from this enduring commitment to environmental integrity.”

Adding his praise was J. Brett Harvey, chairman, president and CEO of CONSOL Energy – the Penguins’ naming rights partner.

“This tremendous achievement is testament to the exceptional leadership overseeing the project and just another reason we are proud to partner with the Pittsburgh Penguins and to share our name with this impressive building,” Harvey said. “CONSOL Energy is no stranger to the LEED certification process as our headquarters was the first building to achieve LEED certified status in Southpointe (Canonsburg, PA). We take environmental stewardship very seriously and view this designation as a fitting extension of the CONSOL brand. We are honored to be a part of this project, and our hats go off to the Penguins, and the region, for yet another world-class cultural amenity.