# Green Mountain Super Bowl: Powering Clean Energy

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/02/green-mountain-super-bowl-powering-clean-energy/
- Published: 2011-02-11T21:03:16-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Green Mountain Super Bowl Scores a Win for Sustainability with Green Mountain Energy

Let’s celebrate Green Mountain Energy for being the power for the Super Bowl! When
the Pittsburgh Steelers faced off against the Green Bay Packers at Super Bowl XLV
in Arlington, Texas, the game wasn’t just about football—it was also a major win
for the environment. For the first time in NFL history, the league took bold steps
to reduce the event’s environmental impact. That included partnering with [Green Mountain Energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/09/u-s-green-building-council-and-rmi-partner-to-develop-embodied-carbon-guidelines/)
to offset 100% of the game’s carbon footprint.

### Game-Changing Green Power

Green Mountain Energy, a pioneer in renewable energy, supplied more than 15 million
kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean energy to offset the electricity used at Cowboys Stadium.
This included energy used during the game itself, plus week-long festivities leading
up to it. By purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs), Green Mountain ensured
that the energy used was matched with electricity generated from wind and solar 
sources.

![Cowboys stadium illuminated at night during super bowl xlv featuring a green mountain
energy sustainability banner](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2011/02/D5D0743A-F9D3-4818-87B8-4D7412783D8D.png?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 "D5D0743A-
F9D3-4818-87B8-4D7412783D8D - The Green Living Guy")

Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium went green with help from Green Mountain Energy
which powered the event with 100 renewable energy

That clean energy offset equaled what 1,500 U.S. homes use in a year. It also prevented
more than 10,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions—the equivalent of removing
2,000 cars from the road for a year.

### Tackling Emissions Off the Field

The Super Bowl’s environmental strategy went beyond just electricity. [Green Mountain](https://greenlivingguy.com/green-living-resources-eco-friendly-products/green-travel/)
also helped the NFL offset carbon emissions from team travel, stadium operations,
and fan transportation. These additional offsets helped ensure that Super Bowl XLV
was as close to carbon-neutral as possible.

In addition, the NFL worked with local partners on recycling initiatives, tree-planting
efforts, and waste reduction programs to minimize the event’s overall footprint.

### Why It Matters

Major sporting events are so notorious for consuming massive amounts of energy and
generating significant waste. By integrating clean energy and carbon offsets into
the Super Bowl, the NFL set a new benchmark for sustainability in professional sports.
It also demonstrated that even high-profile, high-energy events can operate with
environmental responsibility.

### A Model for the Future

Green Mountain Energy’s involvement showed how private-sector innovation can also
support public-facing sustainability. With more leagues, teams, and venues now following
suit—from solar-powered stadiums to zero-waste tailgates—the Super Bowl XLV initiative
helped spark a broader shift in how sports [tackle climate change](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/04/climate-change-needs-to-be-tackled-like-a-weapon-of-mass-destruction/).

As fan expectations evolve, the message is so clear: sustainability and entertainment
don’t have to be rivals. In fact, when combined, they can most definitely deliver
a win on and off the field.

### Sources:

 1. Green Mountain Energy Official Announcement
     “Green Mountain Energy Company Teams
    Up With NFL to Green Super Bowl XLV”. Published February 2011 [https://www.greenmountainenergy.com](https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/)(
    Note: Content from the original press release may now be archived or moved)
 2. Environmental Leader
     “Green Mountain to Offset Super Bowl Power” [https://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/02/green-mountain-to-offset-super-bowl-power/](https://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/02/green-mountain-to-offset-super-bowl-power/)
 3. USA Today – Green Super Bowl Coverage
     “NFL tries to reduce Super Bowl carbon footprint”
    By Doyle Rice. USA Today, Feb 2011 [https://usatoday.com](https://usatoday.com/)(
    Use internal search for “Super Bowl XLV green energy” if the direct link has changed.)

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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