Nationals Go Green

Major League Baseball's first green effort

The Washington Nationals opened up a new stadium to start the 2008 Major League Baseball season.  The $611 million dollar stadium was opened for play on March 30, 2008 with President George Bush throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in a nationally televised game against the Atlanta Braves, broadcast on ESPN. 

The unique part about Nationals Park is that the team is striving to make their new home the first stadium in the United States accredited as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ certified ballpark. 

The new ballpark will pay particular attention to issues affecting the health of the Anacostia River bordering the stadium, such as storm water management and minimization of water pollution.  The elements which earned the stadium its LEED Silver certification include: construction materials made of up to 20 percent recycled content; energy-efficient lighting; a 6,300 square-foot green roof; and adjustable, low-flow plumbing that is expected to save 3.6 million gallons of water annually.