Storm to Celebrate Green Efforts During Sept. 6 Game

By the Seattle Storm
Posted Friday, August 22, 2008

SEATTLE, Friday, August 22, 2008 – While the Seattle Storm is gearing up for a high-energy finish to the 2008 season – including another run for the WNBA title – the Storm organization has been working to reduce its energy use and environmental footprint through a series of Go Green initiatives, culminating in a Go Green Night during the Seattle vs. Minnesota game on Thursday, Sept. 6 at KeyArena. The first 3,000 fans in attendance on Go Green Night receive a reusable grocery bag courtesy of Carter Subaru and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

“Our Go Green effort launched earlier this year reflects the Storm’s commitment to scoring wins both on and off the court, by operating a business that reflects our community’s values,” said Anne Levinson, Chairperson of Force 10 Hoops L.L.C., owner of the Storm. “From using renewable energy at all KeyArena games to partnering with other eco-friendly organizations and companies, we are working every day to make Storm operations more environmentally sustainable.”

A major initiative during Storm games is Carter Subaru's "3's for Trees" campaign, which promises one tree planted along the Mountains to Sound Greenway for every three-pointer the team scores this season. The Storm is hosting a tip-off event to the tree planting this Sunday, Aug. 24, from 12-2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to visit the future Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust tree-planting site at Lake Sammamish State Park (take Exit 15 off Interstate 90 and follow the signs), and join Carter Subaru and Storm players Sheryl Swoopes, Ashley Robinson and Camille Little for beach volleyball, seed planting and snacks. Fans will also have an opportunity to sign up for the Mountains to Sound Greenway tree-planting volunteer event that will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18.

Also during the Sept. 6 game, the Storm is joining forces with the Women’s Funding Alliance and the nationally-based Good Deed Foundation to collect old and unused cell phones, which will be recycled to generate funds for charitable causes. Fans are asked to drop the phones off in the boxes provided at KeyArena’s west doors.

Storm basketball players, supporters and fans are pledging to "Go Green" as part of a year-round effort to green the team's operations and inspire its fans to make environmentally friendly choices. This season, the Storm has participated in Seattle City Light’s Green Up program, which means that power for all games played at KeyArena comes from 100-percent renewable energy. By enrolling in Green Up, the Storm is also helping support new renewable energy projects in the Northwest, including the Stateline Wind Project in Eastern Washington and Oregon .

The Storm has collaborated with many other Go Green partners during the season, including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Seattle Public Utilities, Puget Sound Energy, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Seattle Climate Action NOW, King County Metro Transit, Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and Climate Solutions.

Through these partnerships, the Storm has provided its fans with unique benefits, such as a free 6-point Fuel Efficiency Inspection on any brand or model of car from Carter Subaru, which will also plant a tree in the Mountains to Sound Greenway for every test drive. Enterprise Rent-a-Car has been offering customers an opportunity to offset the carbon dioxide emissions from their rentals, and King County Metro has provided Storm fans with 10 free bus rides.

Storm fans were also encouraged to become involved by taking the team’s Go Green Pledge, a commitment to making one new eco-friendly lifestyle change. The pledge is available to sign at the Seattle Storm official website at www.storm.wnba.com and at the Go Green Headquarters at all home games. Each Storm home game also features a 30-second Green Tip of the Game video.