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	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			RIVERCENTRE CONTACTS:	Kathy O'Connor
	Apr. 22, 2010				(651) 265-4819
					Jora Deziel
					(651) 312-3498

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CARBON FOOTPRINT REDUCTION NEXT PHASE OF SUSTAINABILITY PLAN AT SAINT PAUL RIVERCENTRE AND XCEL ENERGY CENTER SAINT PAUL, Minn. – As part of their commitment to sustainability, officials at Saint Paul RiverCentre and Xcel Energy Center today announced the next phase of their long-term plan – a set of energy goals designed to increase efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of the facilities. The new goal is called "80-20 in 3" and aims to reduce the carbon footprint at Saint Paul RiverCentre, Xcel Energy Center and The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium by 80 percent and make the facilities 20 percent more efficient than average within three years time.* "This '80-20 in 3' phase builds on the momentum and continued success of our '50-50 in 2' recycling program," said Karolyn Kirchgesler, president and CEO of Visit Saint Paul. "It shows that this is an all encompassing sustainability plan and that we are serious about reducing the negative effects that our work can have on the environment." The carbon footprint reduction plan will focus on direct operations of the facilities. By building a renewable energy portfolio, upgrading to more efficient technologies and utilizing best practices for energy efficiency, officials believe the buildings' carbon footprint can be cut by 80 percent. Some upgrades are already underway. With help from a federal grant, over 900 light fixtures in the Saint Paul RiverCentre Parking Ramp were recently replaced with more energy efficient technology, which is expected to reduce the ramp's electricity usage by 47 percent. Preparations continue for installation of potentially the area's largest solar thermal array atop RiverCentre. Additionally, software has been implemented to optimize efficiencies in energy usage across the venues. To determine the goal of operating 20 percent more efficient than average*, venue officials followed the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification standards, which require a building's "Energy Usage Index" (EUI = total energy use/total square footage) to be 19 percent better than average. Officials plan to reach this part of the goal using many of the same techniques as the carbon footprint element; through a combination of building technology upgrades and operational efficiency measures. The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification program has become a national standard for efficient buildings. In April 2009, Saint Paul RiverCentre officials announced plans to become a regional leader in sustainability. Xcel Energy Center joined the effort and in just one year considerable progress has been made. Three months into the initial "50-50 in 2" waste-reduction program, trash was reduced by 49 percent and the recycling rate jumped to 41 percent, more than double the measured rate before the project began. In partnership with Progressive Associates of Saint Paul, Minn., the multi-phased sustainability plan will encompass several initiatives over the coming years. "Saint Paul RiverCentre and Xcel Energy Center have already begun to emerge as leaders in sustainability through the success of their waste reduction program," said Progressive Associates' Principal Environmental Specialist Christina Reeves. "These new energy goals illustrate that they are committed to showing leadership across a range of initiatives." *Average for this region of the country was determined by using the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). That rating for the Midwest is 101.7 kBTU energy consumed per square foot of space. For more information, please visit our dedicated Web page. About Saint Paul RiverCentre Saint Paul RiverCentre is the city's premier convention center that overlooks the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Featuring more than 250,000 square feet of versatile event space and flexible room configurations that include the Grand Ballroom and The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Saint Paul RiverCentre is the preferred choice for hundreds of events each year including star-studded galas, trade shows and conventions. About Xcel Energy Center Regarded as one of the finest arenas in the world, Xcel Energy Center is home to the NHL's Minnesota Wild, the NLL's Minnesota Swarm and a multitude of premier sports and entertainment events annually. The one-of-a-kind, multi-purpose facility is located in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, owned by the City of Saint Paul and managed by the Saint Paul Arena Company, an affiliate of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment. About Visit Saint Paul (formerly Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority) Saint Paul RiverCentre and The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium are governed and operated by Visit Saint Paul. The mission of Visit Saint Paul is to generate economic growth for Saint Paul by effectively marketing the Saint Paul RiverCentre campus, the City of Saint Paul and the region as a preferred convention and tourism destination.

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Saint Paul RiverCentre | 175 West Kellogg Boulevard | Saint Paul | MN | 55102