Mets, EPA To Make Citi Field Environmentally Friendly
BY DAN MILLER

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, flanked by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, New York Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, EPA Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg and Queens Ball Park Company Vice President Pat Mc Govern, shows off a poster of Citi Field highlighting its many environmental innovations. Photos Dan Miller/DMD Images

On Thursday, March 13, the New York Mets and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a wide range of sustainable environmental initiatives at Citi Field, the Mets' new worldclass home opening in 2009. The Mets and their Queens Ballpark Company L.L.C., responsible for construction of the $800 million ballpark, with the EPA formalized these initiatives to help protect and preserve the environment through a variety of design, construction and operational principles ensuring that Citi Field meets or exceeds high environmental standards and reduces its carbon footprint.

Specific design features, use of recycled building materials, energy/water conservation and efficiency, significant landscaping, and mass transit initiatives are at the foundation of the Mets' environmentally friendly approach in building Citi Field.

EPA Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn joined Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon to sign the Mets' agreement with the EPA.

"The Mets deserve an environmental MVP award for their efforts to reduce the carbon footprint and the waste stream from the construction and operation of their new ballpark," Alan J. Steinberg, Regional Administrator, EPA, said. "This important agreement underscores innovation and a comprehensive commitment toward sustainable development. From its use of recycled materials and energy efficient lighting to its commitment to joining the Energy Star and WasteWise partnership programs, Citi Field is looking greener every day."

"We are so pleased to see corporate citizens like the Mets step up and contribute to the goals of PlaNYC- our bold, far-reaching strategy for making New York a greener, greater city," Bloomberg said. "It probably would have been easier to build a new ballpark without incorporating 'green' technology, but the Mets understand that their responsibility to New Yorkers doesn't end with the third out in the bottom of the ninth. They've taken the initiative to be bold, innovative, and environmentally responsible."

"The Mets have always been Orange and Blue and today they're Green too," said Christine C. Quinn, New York City Council Speaker. "I want to congratulate the Mets on their corporate leadership in setting high environmental standards at the new Citi Field."

"The New York Mets and the EPA have worked together for the good of all New Yorkers and the good of the environment," said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. "This combined effort by the private and public sector to protect and nurture our environment for the future by using technology available today deserves our gratitude and praise. The Mets continue to be Amazin'."

"In developing and constructing Citi Field, we set out to create a world-class environment that would be fan friendly and environmentally friendly," said Jeff Wilpon, New York Mets COO. "We thank Alan and his colleagues at the EPA for their interest and willingness to work with us and their invaluable guidance in the greening effort for our new home."