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Green Initiatives Grow in Atlantic City!

Located just blocks from the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, the Atlantic City Convention Center is committed to preserving its unique seaside environment while providing a safe, healthy atmosphere for our guests. “Going Green” has consistently been one of the Center’s main operating objectives. Several initiatives have already been implemented throughout the facility while others are in the works. Management remains committed to exploring new opportunities to better conserve and reuse our valuable resources. Below is a compilation of several of the green projects currently planned or in use at the Convention Center.

Conservation Efforts

The Solar Project

On June 18, 2008 the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority announced plans to install the largest single roof-mounted solar array in the United States on top of the Atlantic City Convention Center. A 20-year contract was awarded to Pepco Energy Services, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), who will build, own, operate and maintain the 2.36-megawatt rooftop solar power system for the Center. Construction will begin during the month of June and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2008. The Convention Center is operated by the management company SMG.

When completed, the solar power system, comprised of approximately 13,321 modules/panels, will cover two-thirds of the main roof of the convention center or about 290,000 square feet. The Atlantic City Convention Center as a result of the solar project anticipates saving nearly $4.4 million in electricity costs over the 20-year contract. In greener terms, this avoids the release of 2,349 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. That is equivalent to:

Removing 390 passenger vehicles from the road or
Reducing oil consumption by 4,956 barrels per year or
The electricity used by 282 homes in one year or
The carbon sequestered annually by 484 acres of trees or
The carbon sequestered by 54,646 tree seedlings grown for 10 years or
Preserving 14.8 acres of forest from deforestation or
The recycling of 734 tons of waste instead of sending it to a landfill

Atlantic City Harnesses Wind Power

In 2005, five 380-foot high wind turbines were erected at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority Wastewater Treatment Facility in Atlantic City. The turbines power the facility, with any excess energy being directed to the main power grid. It is estimated that the energy produced by the wind farm will save the energy equivalent of 23,613 barrels of crude oil. Led by the city’s example, the Atlantic City Convention Center is currently researching the feasibility of installing a single wind turbine on the Center’s 31 acre site. The turbine is expected to produce approximately 16% of annual electrical consumption. Capital plan recommendations will be made for 2009.

In 2007, the Center’s Back-of-house Garage and Stairwell Lighting retrofit was completed, with a savings of over $20,000 in NJ Smart Start buildings rebates.

Green products now used by the Center’s operations staff include hand vacuums, floor mats, toilet paper, paper towels, hand towels, tissues, and foam soap.

Recycling Efforts

At the Atlantic City Convention Center, recycling efforts over the past year have included:

Paper, cardboard: 45,180 lbs.
Glass, Plastic, Aluminum, Bottles & Cans, Shrink Wrap: 3.38 tons
Lamps, Ballasts, Batteries: 3,767 lbs.
Wooden Pallets: 2,043 lbs.
Carpet: 47,198 lbs.
Electrical Equipment: 5,574 lbs.
Computers: 2,881lbs.
Excess Building Materials
Recyclable replacement cartridges on soap dispensers
Office paper and printer cartridge

Non-traditional items also include materials used during our public and trade shows, and conventions. For example, the local ACUA received 7.78 tons of plastic shrink wrap following the ATLANTIC CITY POOL & SPA SHOW and the INTERNATIONAL POWER BOAT SHOW.

In its second year at the Atlantic City Convention Center, the Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (PANTS) includes intricate exhibits of plants, pavers, and other landscaping materials. Rather than discard materials at the end of the show, management has arranged to contribute them to several Atlantic City agencies. Last year’s materials, worth an estimated $200,000, have been used to revitalize the landscape between the Convention Center and the Atlantic City Sheraton. Installation was completed by the Atlantic City Special Improvement District.

Community Outreach

The Convene Green Alliance

In March 2008, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority was invited to participate in the Focus Forum for the Convene Green Alliance. This organization gives corporations, associations and business facilities guidance on how to lessen the environmental impact of both their personal and professional activities and practices. The Convene Green Alliance holds educational events and forums to teach participating associations and organizations how they can work together collectively to reduce their impact on the environment. As a panelist on this forum, Gary Musich, VP of Convention Development for the Atlantic City Convention &Visitors Authority, provided the audience with several of the green initiatives that have already been implemented at the Atlantic City Convention Center as well as ones that will be considered for the future. This interactive discussion provided feedback and advice on how to effectively incorporate green practices into modern day industry standards and operations. Promoting positive change and reducing our environmental footprints has not only become a national industry initiative, but has also become one of our main goals as global warming is becoming more imminent in our world today.

To learn more about the Convene green Alliance visit www.convenegreen.com.

To download an information packet of Atlantic City’s Green Initiatives click here.