Seattle Storm Launches Green Initiative

SEATTLE – The Seattle Storm announced today the launch of Go Green, a year-round effort to green the team’s operations and inspire its fans to make environmentally-friendly choices in their own lives. The Storm is the first WNBA team to make a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.

“It’s important that we not only put a winning team on the floor, but that we operate the business in a way that is consistent with our community’s best values. The citizens, governments and businesses of our region are tremendous leaders in protecting the environment. We have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to do our part as well,” said Anne Levinson, Chairperson of Force 10 Hoops L.L.C., owner of the Storm.

The Storm has contracted with Seattle City Light to participate in their Green Up program to power all games played at KeyArena with 100% renewable energy. By enrolling in Green Up, the Storm will also be helping to support new renewable energy projects in the Northwest, including the Stateline Wind Project in Eastern Washington and Oregon.

In addition to City Light, the Storm has partnered with a number of other local businesses and organizations that share the team’s environmental values, including Carter Subaru, 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, Climate Solutions and the Mountains to Sound Greenway, to collaborate on the Go Green Initiative.

Through its partnerships with these companies and organizations, the Storm is able to provide its fans with unique benefits such as free 6-point Fuel Efficiency Inspections on any brand or model of car from Carter Subaru, who will also plant a tree in the Mountains to Sound Greenway for every test drive. Enterprise Rent-a-Car will offer customers the opportunity to offset the carbon dioxide emissions from their rentals. King County Metro Transit will be offering Storm fans 10 free bus rides.

The offerings of all of the Storm’s Go Green partners will be featured in the Seattle Storm’s Go Green Guide, along with information and tips for becoming more environmentally responsible. The Go Green Guide (www.wnba.com/storm/news/go_green_guide2008.html) will be available at all home games and various Storm events throughout the season.

“I am excited to work with all our partners to inspire our fans to ‘Go Green,’ and help them understand the easy steps that they can take to lighten their own environmental footprint,” said Karen Bryant, Chief Executive Officer of the Seattle Storm. “As a professional sports team, we have the opportunity to reach thousands of people and make a significant impact.”

Go Green Pledge
Fans will be encouraged to get involved by taking the team’s Go Green Pledge (www.wnba.com/storm/news/gogreen_pledge.html) a commitment to making one new eco-friendly lifestyle change. Showing the team’s internal support for Go Green, many staff, players and owners have already taken the pledge, identifying the change they each intend to make personally. The pledge is available to sign at the Seattle Storm official website (www.storm.wnba.com) and at the Go Green Headquarters at all home games. Each Storm home game will also include a 30-second Green Tip of the Game video.

“We understand that certain aspects of our business have a significant impact on the environment, so we intend to work toward making the Storm as environmentally sustainable as we can. In the future, we’ll be reviewing everything in our day to day operations, from the paper we use for player rosters to the bags our merchandise comes in, to the products at our concession stands,” said Storm owner Anne Levinson. “Launching this initiative is just a small step, but we’re in it for the long haul.”

An official Go Green Night has been scheduled for the team’s September 6, 2008 home game.

Storm Opening Night is Saturday, May 17 against the Chicago Sky with tipoff set for 7 p.m. Limited tickets are still available. Opening night also headlines the Storm’s 2008 theme-night games. Other theme nights include Girls Night Out on Friday, May 30, Dads & Daughters Night on Wednesday, June 11, Kids Day & Doppler's Annual Birthday Celebration on Thursday, July 10, Women of Inspiration Night on Saturday, July 12, Breast Health Awareness Night on Sunday, July 27, Back to School Night on Thursday, August 28, Go Green Night on Saturday, September 6 and Fan Appreciation Night on Friday, September 12.

Season tickets and packages are still the most affordable way to see the new Storm at KeyArena. Information on all ticket plans can be found at Storm.wnba.com or by calling (206) 217-WNBA.