NHL players and fans alike are descending on Nashville this week to celebrate the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend. For hockey fans, few events capture the excitement and energy of the sport quite like the NHL All-Star Game, which this year showcases a new 3-on-3 format. The buzz that surrounds the event each year is emblematic of how much hockey fans value the excitement of the sport.

For the second consecutive year, the League is proud to partner with Constellation, the official preferred energy provider of the NHL, to mitigate the environmental impact of the NHL All-Star Game. Together with Constellation, the NHL is committed to tracking impacts from League operations (such as electricity use, water consumption and waste) and will counterbalance the greenhouse gas emissions of the NHL All-Star Game with energy generated from renewable resources through Green-e® Energy Certified* Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and Green-e® Climate certified offsets. 

Constellation works with the NHL to conduct energy efficiency analyses and recommend energy management strategies for NHL arenas and team facilities. Through its partnership with Constellation, the NHL now ranks as the 20th largest user of green power in the U.S., according to the EPA’s Green Power Partnership, and was recognized with the 2015 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its leadership, overall strategy, and impact on the green power market. 

Constellation is no stranger to Nashville, a vibrant community well known as Music City, USA. Constellation worked with the City to design and develop an efficient, state-of-the-art district energy system, and has operated it since it’s completion in 2003. This facility currently provides heating and cooling for Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators and host of the 2016 NHL All-Star Game.

In addition to its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the upcoming 2016 NHL All-Star Game, Constellation also supplied Green-e Energy Certified* RECs to counterbalance the carbon footprint of the 2016 Bridgestone Winter Classic® held on New Year’s Day in Foxborough, Ma. Constellation also powered the NHL Winter Classic Legacy Initiative, which culminated in the unveiling of the newly renovated Bryan McGonagle Street Hockey Rink at Ryan Playground in Charlestown in December 2015. Constellation facilitated LED lighting upgrades with the support of Exelon Generation and Musco, a local Constellation channel partner. Thanks to the hard work of Constellation, the Boston Bruins, the City of Boston and many committed partners, the newly refurbished Charlestown community hockey court is now open to families, neighbors and future hockey stars.

The competition may be heating up on the ice in Nashville, but many fans are facing winter weather at home and cooler temperatures often bring higher energy costs. As the League’s energy partner, Constellation is here with a few tips on how to be an Energy All-Star this season.

Score on the Power Play:

• Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F. Potential annual savings for every 10ºF you reduce the temperature? $12-$30

• Add an insulating blanket to older water heaters. This could reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45% and save about 4%–9% in water heating costs.

• Insulate heating ducts. In a typical house 20-30% of the air moving through the duct system is lost due to leaks.

• Install a programmable thermostat to lower utility bills and manage your heating and cooling systems efficiently. Turning your thermostat back 10°-15° for 8 hours can save 5%-15% a year on your heating bill.

Get an assist from your oven:

• Having guests over to watch the NHL All-Star Game and doing a lot of cooking? Leave the oven door ajar after you’re done cooking to let the heat exit into the kitchen.

• Don’t peak: As tempting as it is to check on what’s cooking in the oven, the smarter move is to use the oven light. According to Energy.gov, Every time you open the oven door, the temperature drops by as much as 25 percent.

• Bake more than one item at a time. Cooking items that use the same oven temperature can save the length of time the oven is on, reducing energy use. Be aware that you may need to rotate items on racks, depending on what you’re cooking.

Avoid Icing:

• Be a savvy fireplace user. A fire roaring in the fireplace can also add warmth to the room it’s in. Once the fire starts to die down, however, that same chimney becomes an energy vortex, sucking any remaining warm air from the room and forcing your standard heat source to work overtime. To reduce heat loss and save energy during the holidays, open dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if they exist) or open the nearest window about an inch. Also close doors into the room and lower the thermostat to between 50 and 55 degrees.

• Working with the sun to make maximum use of its warmth is a year-round proposition that can take on additional importance during the colder months. Keep curtains and drapes open during the day to allow the sun’s light to naturally warm your home. As the sun begins to set, close them to keep warmth in and cold drafts out.

Data provided by Energy.gov and Constellation #EnergyLifeHacks.

NEW YORK -- As part of the League's commitment to preserve and support the local environments of host cities for NHL events, NHL Green announced today a legacy tree project at the 2015 NHL Draft in Sunrise, Fla.

In cooperation with the Florida Panthers Foundation, the NHL is donating 30 trees to represent each Club's commitment to sustainability. NHL Green first launched the initiative at the 2012 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh and continued the project in New Jersey (2013) and Philadelphia (2014).

This year's project will plant mature hardwoods and sabal palms, reminiscent of those featured on the Florida Panthers jersey shoulder patch. The State of Florida designated the sabal palm as the official state tree in 1953. The species is remarkably resistant to salt, cold, high winds and drought and requires little maintenance.

"The Florida Panthers are pleased to join NHL Green and the City of Sunrise in our efforts to promote a greener community at Welleby Park," said Executive Chairman Peter Luukko. "We appreciate the NHL's commitment to help beautify Welleby Park for the residents of Sunrise."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the National Hockey League as the 2014 Food Recovery Challenge Sports & Entertainment Venues corporate award winner.

In a letter from Cheryl Coleman, Director of EPA’s Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division, the League was commended for its leadership in wasted food prevention and diversion.

“The NHL is serving as a true leader in sustainable food management,” said Coleman. “The League’s actions have created a foundation of innovation and achievement that will guide other organizations as they pursue environmental goals around sustainable food management.” 

The NHL supports the mission to “Feed People -- Not Landfills.” Since 2010, NHL Clubs have participated in the NHL Food Recovery Initiative, which diverts approximately 100 tons of waste (equivalent to 160,000 meals) from going to landfills annually, by collecting prepared but untouched food after the game for donation to local shelters.

The League-wide initiative, launched in partnership with “Rock and Wrap It Up!” and arena concessionaires, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps to combat hunger in North America. The League has been recognized multiple times by the U.S. EPA for its efforts, and Beyond Sport presented the NHL with its 2011 Sport for Environment award in recognition of its commitment to food recovery.

Constellation, the NHL's official preferred energy provider, is helping the League improve its energy performance and reduce its environmental impacts. Through this Energy Playbook, Constellation is offering simple tips to help NHL Fans join the League 's sustainability efforts.

In the preparation of the 2014 NHL Sustainability Report, the NHL discovered that the generation and use of energy to power NHL arenas and offices result in approximately 80% of the NHL 's carbon footprint*. Today, Constellation is conducting energy efficiency analyses and recommending energy management strategies for arenas. Together we are actively promoting energy performance improvements that result in fewer emissions and lower operating costs.

Three fundamental strategies – reducing demand, increasing efficiency and using more benign forms of energy – can also help you, the NHL fan, save money, reduce energy and protect the environment. Below are five easy ways to get started:

1. Green your tech: Big screen, high-definition TVs make watching hockey from home more exciting than ever -- but not everyone is aware of the energy cost associated with their TV and cable box. ENERGY STAR products are independently certified to save energy without sacrificing features or functionality. Hockey fans interested in saving money on their energy bills, while protecting the environment should always look for the ENERGY STAR when upgrading their technology.

2. Watch with friends: Get your friends together for games. Research shows watching in groups and turning off unnecessary lights in the house can lower energy use in your region. In 2011, a local utility challenged fans to reduce energy during Canucks games. The highest reduction in the Playoffs came during Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final (6% decrease). Playoff history showed that overall electricity demand in B.C. dropped while the games were being televised, showing that even small behavioral changes – whether intentional or accidental -- add up to make a difference. So get together and save energy while you catch all the on-ice action.

3. Light the lamp: In recent years NHL arenas have made the shift away from old, inefficient lighting, which has produced significant returns on investment and lessened environmental impact. Many have implemented occupancy and daylight sensor controls, as well as timer and scheduling programs in their lighting- control systems. A select few have even installed new LED game-lighting systems that illuminate the ice surface and significantly cut energy use. NHL Fans can take the same approach at home: Replace your most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with CFLs or LED that have earned the ENERGY STAR. CFLs, for instance, are 80% more efficient than conventional bulbs, last up to 10 years and replacing just six bulbs can save you an average of $36 per year in electricity costs.

4. Set your best line-up: NHL arenas work tirelessly to improve the quality of the ice surface while efficiently managing energy use. Great attention is paid to creating optimal air conditions, particularly temperature and humidity. In a typical home, heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use, making it the largest energy expense, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Use your thermostat to schedule heating and cooling, to reduce energy while you sleep or are out of the house. Smart thermostats automatically program based on your habits, and can be controlled from your phone. Setting the correct conditions in your home can lower your heating and cooling bills up to 20%.

5. Switch to green energy: The NHL currently ranks No. 17 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Top 100 list of the largest users of green power, making it the first professional sports league ever to achieve the distinction. In partnership with Constellation, the NHL switched to green power for all arenas and offices (approximately 271 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power). NHL fans can make the switch too. Support renewable energy and help reduce air pollution. Click here to find out how.

To learn more about how to make your home energy efficient, check out Constellation's virtual house and the Natural Resources Defense Council's green tips for sports fans.

*see nhl.com/green/report to find out more

Gina McCarthy is the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In January 2010, the NHL chose my hometown of Boston to host the Winter Classic.  It was a great day all around—not only did my Bruins win that game with a thrilling OT victory, but the NHL also chose my backyard, Fenway Park, to launch their NHL Green Initiative.  Since then, the NHL has been putting points on the board by greening operations and committing to protecting our environment.

Since 2011, the NHL has restored more than 30 million gallons of water to streams and rivers and has improved water efficiency for indoor and outdoor rinks. This season, NHL’s Gallons for Goals program replenished more than 6.5 million gallons of water to rivers.  Whether it’s turning on our faucets to take a drink, or skating on frozen ponds and outdoor rinks—water is a precious, finite resource that’s vital not only for our health, but also for recreation.  

But today, we’re facing new threats to our water resources, including resource risks from a changing climate.  So we need to be more vigilant than ever in water conservation, and EPA is leading the charge.  

EPA’s Clean Water Rule aims to protect streams and wetlands vulnerable to pollution.  These water resources provide habitats for the wildlife and recreation we enjoy; and most importantly, they provide drinking water for 1 in 3 Americans across the country.  

Being vigilant in protecting water resources means we must be mindful of climate impacts.  For example, in Southeast Florida where the 2015 NHL Draft will take place, sea levels are predicted to rise nearly two feet in our children’s lifetimes. Rising seas are already pushing contaminated salt water into the region’s drinking water.  

And any Bruins fan knows that this winter, Boston was pummeled by over 100 inches of snow, the snowiest season in Boston's history.  It was a costly, frustrating, and dangerous situation for so many Bostonians.   If that’s not a climate change signal-flare, I don’t know what is.  When climate change amplifies risks from extreme weather, we all pay the penalty.  A few months ago, I got to hang out with pro skiers and snowboarders at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado, where climate impacts hit home.  Shorter, warmer winters mean a shorter season to enjoy the winter sports we love, and an economic burden for communities that depend on winter sports and recreation.

Those are just a few examples of how climate change impacts our everyday lives.  The good news is, together, we can do something about it—that’s why EPA’s is proud to partner with the NHL.

I think Stanley Cup Champion goaltender Mike Richter put it best when he said, “It is imperative that we take the time to understand these issues and make the effort to become strong environmental stewards. The future of our sport, and your local pond hockey game, depends on all of us.”

When we conserve water, fight climate change, and build a sustainable future—we’re not just protecting our families; we’re also boosting economic growth.  When cities invest in updating old water systems to include ‘green’ infrastructure, our water is cleaner, our communities are more resilient to climate impacts, and people and businesses save energy and money—it’s a win-win-win.

For more information on Earth Day, visit: www.epa.gov/earthday

On this World Water Day we ask our fans to join us in conserving water.

Water flows as a life source for hockey, starting with the frozen ponds and lakes where players learn the game, to the ice making and resurfacing processes of arenas and local community rinks. Hockey as we know it wouldn’t exist without the freshwater resources where players learn the game. Life as we know it wouldn’t exist without the freshwater that serves as our drinking water, provides habitat for fish and wildlife and is crucial for agriculture and economic development.

Read on to find out how we're addressing our water footprint.

Three winters ago, geographers at Wilfrid Laurier University launched a project called RinkWatch with a simple plan: ask people who have a rink to pin its location on a website’s interactive map, and report the skating conditions throughout the winter. So far, reports have come in from over 1,500 rinks from across North America (and a few from Scandinavia, too). The scientists pool this data and use a geospatial and numerical modelling techniques to work out what rinks are telling us about the weather.

Why do this? Because scientists warn that winters are becoming shorter and milder, and that the backyard rink may soon become an endangered species. The team is monitoring the health of outdoor rinks, tracking their numbers and conditions, and learning how changes in the environment are affecting them.

Read on to learn more about RinkWatch and how you can help preserve the great tradition of outdoor hockey.

Nationwide Arena, home of the Blue Jackets and host to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game, and the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC), host to the 2015 NHL Fan Fair, are committed to sustainability. The two venues are now designated GreenSpots within the City of Columbus.

“We congratulate the NHL, Columbus Blue Jackets and Nationwide Arena, for joining our efforts towards making Columbus a green community that is beautiful, healthy and prosperous. Welcome to the GreenSpot family,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman.

The City of Columbus launched the GreenSpot program as a way to recognize area residents, businesses and community groups who are working to use resources in a responsible manner that will conserve and protect them for future generations.

Designated as GreenSpot locations, Nationwide Arena and the GCCC pledged more than 35 sustainable actions including:

• Conserving and protecting water by keeping loading areas and dumpsters clear of litter, by watering only when necessary and by installing water efficient fixtures;

• Conserve energy by performing an energy audit, converting to energy efficient lighting, turning off equipment when not in use and performing regular maintenance on HVAC systems;

• Reducing waste by establishing a recycling program, performing a waste audit, tracking their waste and purchasing supplies in bulk;

• Informing and engaging their employees and customers about opportunities for green efforts and actions; and

• Greening transportation by installing bike racks, encouraging employees to walk or bike to meetings, encouraging teleconferences and providing special parking for lower emission vehicles.

GreenSpot is a fun way to learn about sustainable actions, product discounts, and events. Touting more than 10,000 homes, business and nonprofit members, GreenSpot provides a way for making green commitments. Created by Mayor Michael B. Coleman in 2008, the program continues to grow with a GreenSpot Kids, GreenSpot Backyard Conservation, GreenSpot Business Initiative, and GreenSpot Neighborhood programs. Learn more at www.ColumbusGreenSpot.org.

On January 1, the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals take the game outdoors, on a rink constructed above the infield at Nationals Park. The ballpark plays host to the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic (1 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, TVA).

The NHL is committed to preserving the tradition of outdoor hockey. Our sport was born on frozen ponds and relies on winter weather.

The Winter Classic is a celebration of hockey’s roots. The site selected for the 2015 Winter Classic, has been recognized as a leader in sustainable design.

Read on to discover the greener side of D.C.'s Nationals Park.