NHL Green and Ottawa Senators partner on energy audit of Scotiabank Place for 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend

NEW YORK / OTTAWA -- In cooperation with NHL Green™, Scotiabank Place -- home of the Ottawa Senators and host to the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game -- will undergo a full-scale energy audit following the mid-season showcase.

The energy audit will identify potential advances to operations and equipment to improve efficiency and performance of assets, reduce energy and maintenance costs, and lessen the overall impact the facility has on the environment.

Hydro Ottawa Limited, the third largest municipal electricity distribution company in Ontario, and Enbridge Gas Distribution, Canada's largest natural gas distribution utility, have united to provide Scotiabank Place with the full-scale audit.

Natural Resources Canada, the Government of Canada's department responsible for promoting improved energy efficiency, is acting as the NHL Green advisor for this initiative.

The audit will identify and evaluate the facility's current energy usage. Based on the findings, Hydro Ottawa and Enbridge will work together with Scotiabank Place to develop the best and most sustainable energy management strategy for the facility.

"We're pleased to partner with the National Hockey League and its NHL Green initiative as we endeavor to reduce energy and minimize waste at our events," said Tom Conroy, Vice-President and Executive Director of Scotiabank Place. "In conjunction with Hydro Ottawa and Enbridge, we look forward to determining a strategic and efficient plan to manage energy consumption for the betterment of the environment and our community."

Scotiabank Place, opened in 1996, has established a "Think Green Go Red" campaign to address environmental concerns, primarily through fan and employee education. Since its inception, the facility has increased recycling rates, switched to more ecologically responsible cleaning products and altered practices to minimize unnecessary lighting.

NHL Green™ is working to actively reduce the carbon and water footprint in all 30 Club facilities. The League has developed and implemented NHL Metrics, an online tool designed for NHL venues to track and analyze data specific to waste output, energy usage and water consumption. NHL Metrics encourages a behavioral change in NHL venues across North America, reducing hockey's environmental impact by increasing awareness of the resources used and the financial costs incurred.