# LEVI’S STADIUM BECOMES FIRST U.S. VENUE OF ITS KIND TO EARN LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION AS NEW CONSTRUCTION - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/06/levis-stadium-becomes-first-u-s-venue-of-its-kind-to-earn-leed-gold-certification-as-new-construction/ - Published: 2015-06-10T01:21:34-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Prestigious award from United States Green Building Counsel sets new standard. ##### All for sustainable design among sports and entertainment venues in the U.S. SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Adding to its growing list of firsts, Levi’s® Stadium has become the first stadium in the United States going LEED. I mean it’s a stadium that is home to a professional football team. All to receive most noteworthy [LEED Gold certification](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/01/ottawa-convention-center-achieves-leedr-gold-certification/). That’s for new construction. Most importantly, the LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). For it is the foremost program for buildings. Also homes and communities. Those that are designed, constructed, maintained. Finally and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. > [⌊Levi’s® Stadium⌉⌊Levi’s® Stadium⌉[ In order to receive LEED certification, building projects must satisfy prerequisites. Also and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. So Levi’s® Stadium achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies. Moreover, solutions aimed at achieving high performance in: 1. sustainable site development 2. water savings 3. energy efficiency 4. materials selection 5. and indoor environmental quality. #### In addition, LEED Gold status is earned by accumulating 39 to 51 points. All on the rating system and Levi’s® Stadium had [registered](https://www.levisstadium.com/2016/10/levis-stadium-achieves-leed-gold-certification-for-operations-and-maintenance-of-an-existing-building/) a total of 41 upon opening. More than 60,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED. That’s comprising 11.2 billion square feet. All of construction space in all 50 states and more than 154 countries. [⌊image⌉⌊image⌉[ Designed by HNTB and constructed by Turner/Devcon, Levi’s® Stadium. For that embodies innovative elements found throughout Silicon Valley. From the 1,000-plus state-of- the-art solar elements found throughout the building. For that’s including the three solar array-covered NRG Energy Bridges. All to its automatic sensors and high-efficient energy management system. Because Levi’s® Stadium was designed to be one of the most compelling sports and entertainment venues in the country. Especially all the while maintaining a disciplined green approach to sustainable design elements. In addition, Levi’s® Stadium’s green features were designed to allow the venue to achieve net zero energy performance. Thereby enabling the 10 scheduled 49ers home games per season to be completely powered by the year-round collection of solar energy. ### Solar Year Round Sources from the 49ers also reported to the [Green Living Guy](https://greenlivingguy.com/reforest-contact/): “Although we received the LEED certification July 22, 2014, we recently took another step. All to build upon Levi’s Stadium’s industry-leading sustainability efforts. So that’s by making a unique change to the field. Those changes that will also reduce the watering requirements. All for its playing surface by 20 percent. That’s on top of having already set the industry standard for recycled water use by reusing 85 percent of all water used in the venue.” Venue operators further enhanced the water usage efficiency of the multi-use venue in the face of California’s historic drought by installing a [23,000 sq. ft. track of artificial turf](https://web.archive.org/web/20160323054917/http://www.49ers.com/news/blog/article-2/Artificial-Turf-Track-Installed-at-Levis%C2%AE-Stadium/0ba3cf06-8abd-4dea-8041-41db97163afb) around its natural grass playing field. The artificial surface track, common in NFL stadiums and international soccer venues, will also: 1. Enhance the quality of the playing surface by decreasing wear and tear 2. Reduce waste and cost by requiring less real grass when the playing field is resurfaced 3. Allow increased access to field level for busy special events schedule 4. Reduce the time required for load-in and load-out for special events and concerts #### Recycled Water The stadium is plumbed for recycled water for irrigation of the playing field and green roof (featuring 16 native plants). That’s flushing toilets and urinals, and for cooling tower water. In fact, 1,250 flushable devices are using recycled water and the stadium’s cooling tower uses 5,000 gallons per day of recycled water. **Source: [Levi’s® Stadium](http://www.LevisStadium.com)** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) 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. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)