The Honda Center, home of the Anaheim Ducks, announced this week a partnership with Bloom Energy to install on-site, solid oxide fuel cell technology.

The 750 kilowatt project, which will begin producing power prior to opening night of the 2013-14 NHL regular season, will generate 80% of the arena’s base load power and 25% during a Ducks game or concert.

The power is generated by multiple fuel sources, including natural gas and renewable fuels such as biogas, and will account for 51% of the total power required annually for the arena.

On average, the arena expects the project to offset 2 million pounds of CO2 emissions annually.

The Honda Center is the second NHL arena to deploy such technology, following the Sharks’ SAP Center at San Jose. Click here to learn how solid oxide fuel cells work.

During the offseason we introduced a new campaign from the @NHL Twitter account blasting out fun facts on all things NHL Green. From upgraded, efficient arena cooling systems to improved recycling practices, all 30 NHL clubs are leading some incredible environmental initiatives.

If you are a hockey fan, an environmentalist, a teacher, or anything in between, we hope you enjoy the 60 Days of #NHLGreen and continue to keep up with the campaign. Below are some of our favorites thus far... and let us know if you think we missed any too. We always love to hear from our fans, so send us a Tweet to @NHL.

#NHLGreen fact of the day: The @NHLDevils power three generators with biodiesel converted from 1,500 gallons of used cooking oil each month.

— NHL (@NHL) August 14, 2013

#NHLGreen fact of the day: Both the @NHLFlyers and @MapleLeafs use a housekeeping system that turns tap water into a sodium-based cleaner.

— NHL (@NHL) July 29, 2013

#NHLGreen fact of the day: Know this, @mnwild fans? The @XcelEnergyCtr used wind power to offset the entire '11-'12 season electricity use.

— NHL (@NHL) August 2, 2013

Check back with the Green Blog throughout the off season. We will have some more events and updates down the road, including coverage of the Green Sports Alliance Summit (August 26) and the Beyond Sport Summit (September 9-11), as well as a special NHL Green Twitter Takeover.

This July, the 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks joined the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and partner Constellation Energy to help beautify a community garden (see photos). Hockey great Stan Mikita worked next to a number of young volunteers, as the space was transformed into a garden of fresh vegetables.

As part of the League’s ongoing initiative with Restore Hockey, NHL Green asks all fans attending the 2013 NHL Draft to help us recycle the game!

WHAT: Donate your used hockey equipment! Upon collection, non-profit Restore Hockey will refurbish all donated gear, which will be delivered to youth community-based hockey programs in need of support. Accepted items include helmets, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin pads, gloves, skates and sticks.

WHERE: Championship Plaza (adjacent to Prudential Center), between Edison Place and Market Street and on Mulberry Street

WHEN: Sunday, June 30th, from 10:30AM - 2:30PM

Since 2010, the League has worked in partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) to restore over 20 million gallons of water to streams and rivers in the Northwest, directly aiding in the recovery of the economic, recreational and ecological viability of waterways.

For the third consecutive year, the Stanley Cup Final will be “water neutral.” Total water used in the United Center and TD Garden will be tracked, from the faucets to the ice surface, and the equivalent will be restored through BEF’s Water Restoration Certificates.

With the end of the 2013 regular season, NHL Green wrapped up the second year of Gallons for Goals, a regular-season initiative focused on combating water scarcity in critically dewatered ecosystems. Beginning in the 2011-2012 season, NHL Green pledged to restore 1,000 gallons of water to a river or stream in critical shape for every goal scored.

The 2013 NHL regular season was not lacking in the scoring department. Beginning with a 5-on-3 powerplay goal from Patrick Kane in January, and ending with a goal from Bruins’ center Rich Peverley in April, skaters League-wide scored 3,822 goals, effectively restoring 3.8 million gallons of water.

The League and its Clubs are also working proactively to reduce water waste throughout League headquarters and Club arenas. Through the implementation of NHL Green Metrics, an online tracking tool for all 30 Clubs to input and track their energy and water consumption and waste output, the League works to promote positive environmental change. This initiative is the first step toward reducing hockey’s environmental footprint and ensuring a future for hockey’s birthplace on the frozen ponds and lakes of North America.

Everyone knows that hockey fans love gear. Fans swarm the arena on game day with hats, scarves, flags, masks, and jerseys emblazoned with their team’s logo. But even fans watching the game at home need the proper equipment to feel like they’re part of the game. Big screen, high-definition TVs make the action more vibrant than ever, and expanded cable packages allow viewers access to out-of-market games that were once unavailable.

This technology has made it a great time to be a hockey fan, 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.

Fans in the New York City metro area can donate their used hockey equipment this weekend (Friday-Sunday, at the NHL powered by Reebok store). Upon collection, non-profit Restore Hockey will refurbish all donated gear, which will be delivered to youth community-based hockey programs in need of support.

Accepted items include helmets, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin pads, gloves, skates and sticks. Donors will receive a 15% discount at the NHL Powered by Reebok store.

Your used equipment can help the environment and grow the sport we all love.  Read on to see how three brothers from Connecticut gave 35 children from Chalestown, Massachusetts the opportunity to play the game of hockey.

Mike Spengler is the President and Co-Founder of Restore Hockey, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works to recycle used hockey equipment back into the game.

As part of the League’s ongoing initiative with Restore Hockey, NHL Green will soon unveil a one-of-a-kind equipment donation net.  Swing by the NHL Powered by Reebok Store this weekend and help us recycle the game!

What? Donate your used hockey equipment! Upon collection, non-profit Restore Hockey will refurbish all donated gear, which will be delivered to youth community-based hockey programs in need of support. Accepted items include helmets, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin pads, gloves, skates and sticks.

Where? The NHL Powered by Reebok Store, in New York City (1185 Avenue of the Americas at 47th street)

When? Friday, June 14 – Sunday, June 16

Donors will receive a 15% discount at the NHL Powered by Reebok store.

In the 2012-13 regular season, players from around the NHL tallied 32 hat tricks, including two apiece from Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz, Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, and Toronto’s Nazem Kadri.

Inspired by Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference, NHL Green launched Hat Tricks for Trees™ in January.  The initiative assists The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) effort to save Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. NHL Green pledged to donate 50 trees to TNC’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign for every hat trick scored throughout the regular season.

Thanks to the League’s highest scoring players, NHL’s contribution this year totals 1,600 trees, helping to restore and rebuild the Atlantic Forest and its irreplaceable part in our global ecosystem. TNC has set a lofty and admirable goal of planting one billion trees in the Atlantic Forest by 2015, which has the potential to remove four million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year.

Read on to learn more about Brazil's Atlantic Forest, why it's health is important for all of us, and how you can help.

When most fans think of Willie Mitchell, they picture the star Los Angeles Kings defenseman and Stanley Cup champion fearlessly protecting his goaltender.  Most may be unaware the physical blueliner doubles as an eco-warrior.

While Mitchell remains off the ice due to an injury, he remains in battle, fighting for the future of wild Pacific salmon. Mitchell, an avid outdoorsman and fisherman from coastal Port McNeill, British Columbia, is passionate about conserving this threatened species and preserving the health of our oceans.