Recently, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Sports Greening Project ranked the top 7 energy-efficient baseball stadiums in the MLB. Our hometown hero, the Minnesota Twins’ Target Field, came in second place with the Miami Marlins’ Marlins Park snatching the first place position.
Among other strong points, Target Field is the only ballpark with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications in both construction and operations. Upgrades made in 2011 to equipment, lighting and HVAC systems reduced electricity use by more than 12 percent. Other energy efficient features include low-flow urinals, dual-flush toilets, aerated faucets, a rain recycle system that saves water, high-efficiency lighting, and a range of energy-conservation behaviors. A slightly less obvious way that Target Field is energy efficient is its prime location. The stadium is a multi-modal, transit-oriented ballpark which is accessible by light rail, commuter rail, bus lines, bike trails, and pedestrian routes.
After being certified as a LEED Silver building for its construction when it opened in 2010, Target Field went onto become LEED Silver certified for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance in December 2011.
Fun Facts from The Allliance to Save Energy:
- The stadium’s aerated faucets use 30% less potable water than conventional fixtures and save about 4 million gallons of water annually.
- The rain recycle system allows the Twins staff to use rainwater to wash the seating area; per game, the system saves them:
- 14,000 to 21,000 gallons of water
- 86 gallons of gasoline
- 57 hours of labor
- High-efficiency field lighting and an automated system that shuts down lights across the whole facility at certain times each day saves the ballpark nearly $6,000 a year.
- Office staff turn off lights and computers, and engage in other energy-saving behaviors, to help save nearly 5% on office energy use.
Fellow ranking stadiums are as follows:
3. Nationals Park: Washington Nationals
4. AT&T Park: San Francisco Giants
5. Safeco Field: Seattle Mariners
6. Miller Park: Milwaukee Brewers
7. Busch Stadium: St. Louis Cardinals
Runners Up included:
- Fenway Park: Boston Red Sox
- Citi Field: New York Mets
- Yankee Stadium: New York Yankees
- Progressive Field: Cleveland Indians
