Lincoln Center Chooses Wind Energy from Green Mountain Energy Company

Green Mountain Energy Company is pleased to announce that Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts will become the first performing arts center in New York City to be powered by 100% wind energy. The wind energy to support Lincoln Center will be purchased by Green Mountain in the form of renewable energy certificates (RECs). This purchase compliments the completion of Lincoln Center's recent $1.2 billion transformation, which includes a new U.S. Green Building Council LEED® Gold certified building, the David Rubenstein Atrium.
"Our ambitious transformation to make Lincoln Center more open and accessible involves not only updating our world-class facilities, but also significantly developing our public spaces, and maximizing efficiency for the campus," said Tim Hassett, Lincoln Center's Vice President for Concert Halls & Operations. "Sustainability is important to Lincoln Center artists, students, and visitors, as well as our staff."

Lincoln Center recently selected Green Mountain to provide 100% wind energy for the center's electricity usage, which is estimated at 21.6 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. Over the life of the three year contract, Lincoln Center's choice of renewable energy instead of traditional energy is expected to avoid approximately 101 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is equivalent to recycling 170 million Playbills instead of sending them to the landfill, or not taking 41 million taxi rides.

Renewable energy Will Power Avery Fisher Hall (home to the New York Philharmonic), Alice Tully Hall (home to The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center), the Rose Building, the Central Mechanical Plant (which provides heating and cooling to the Metropolitan Opera), the Koch Theater (home of New York City Ballet) and Lincoln Center Theater.

The Juilliard School has purchased partial renewable energy in the past, but this year for the first time joins Lincoln Center in purchasing 100% renewable energy from Green Mountain Energy to power its classrooms, practice rooms, stages, and dormitories.

The wind energy to support Lincoln Center and Julliard will be purchased by Green Mountain in the form of RECs, which are the industry standard for accounting for renewable electricity generation. Purchasing RECs in the same quantity as Lincoln Center and Julliard's electricity consumption ensures that the amount of energy used is added to the U.S. power grid from renewable sources and supports the continuation of these projects.
"Lincoln Center is home to the world's most talented performing arts companies, and we are excited to bring green energy center stage to its community," said Scott Hart, President of Commercial Services, Green Mountain Energy Company. "The performances and operations of Lincoln Center are now powered with 100% clean, renewable energy, representing a benefit both for the environment and supporters of the performing arts."