New Nike offshoot to invest in green-tech startups Olga Kharif,Matt Townsend, Bloomberg News Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Nike Inc., the world's biggest sneaker company, is taking a page from Silicon Valley's playbook in an effort to cut production costs and foster a new generation of green-technology companies.
The company is setting up a venture-capital offshoot called the Sustainable Business & Innovation Lab to back startups focused on alternative energies and more efficient approaches to manufacturing. The lab also will seek out companies that promote healthy lifestyles, according to a description on Nike's site.
Nike is counting on innovation to help it cope with the economic slump and supply constraints. The Nike Free, a lightweight running shoe, helped boost sales 18 percent to $6.08 billion last quarter, topping analysts' estimates. The company also has sought ways to lower expenses amid rising costs for raw materials, labor and transportation.


More companies are working on these kinds of projects, said John Taylor, head of research for the National Venture Capital Association. In the past, it was mainly technology and pharmaceutical businesses starting venture arms, he said. With research budgets getting cut, a wider range of companies are now looking to startups to help them maintain their innovation.
"We are seeing consumer companies looking at venture capital," he said. "They feel there's an opportunity to look for fresh ideas."
Nike declined to say how much money it will devote to the project. The effort is in its early stages and hasn't made investments, which would need to be approved by management, said Mary Remuzzi, a spokeswoman for the company. "Leveraging innovation in sustainability can be a vehicle for growth," she said in an e-mail.


The risk is betting on companies that don't pan out. In 30 to 40 percent of cases, investors lose most or all the money they put into startups, according to Shikhar Ghosh, a professor at Harvard Business School. Seventy to 80 percent of the time, investors don't get their projected rate of return.
Nike's lab will primarily make equity investments in young companies focused on alternative energies. It will also finance partnerships with government and nongovernment organizations, according to the company's website.


By pursuing new sources of energy and sustainable production, Nike may be able to make its products more cheaply. It also helps the company appeal to environmentally minded customers, furthering an effort already under way. Last year, Nike introduced soccer uniforms that use recycled polyester made from plastic bottles.


In 2009, Nike helped start an Internet project with Best Buy called GreenXchange that promotes sustainability. The idea is to let patent owners collaborate online to find more eco-friendly ways of doing business.


Nike has tapped venture-capital and private-equity managers to run the new operation, including Avi Sahi, who was hired last December after working at the buyout firm Perseus LLC. John Hull, a longtime venture capitalist, also is working as a partner. He previously served as managing director at Marquam Hill Capital LLC and Intel's venture arm, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Nike is considering adding more staff to the effort, including a principal to evaluate investment opportunities and conduct exploratory research, according to its website.


The company isn't the only sneaker maker pursuing venture-capital investments. Adidas AG has backed Hydra Ventures, a fund started this year to focus on creating new consumer brands in apparel, footwear and sports-related areas.


The rivals are following in the footsteps of technology giants such as Intel. Its venture-capital division, Intel Capital, has invested more than $9.8 billion in more than 1,100 companies since 1991.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/28/BUMO1LA7OJ.DTL#ixzz1ZGy9Epk4

Campaign Calls on North America's Largest Stadium to Go Solar

by Jess Leber · September 27, 2011

More than 3,000 people have joined a campaign on Change.org calling on the University of Michigan to commit to using solar energy in its football stadium.

The campaign, created by the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center, follows a growing NFL trend of renewable energy-powered national sports stadiums, including the homes of the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, and Washington Redskins. Activists hope the petition on Change.org will lead the University of Michigan, home to the Big 10 Wolverines and the largest-capacity stadium in North America, to become the first big-name college football school to join in.

“The UM stadium has the potential to be the largest athletic venue in North America with solar panels, which is fitting with the University’s claim to be ‘the leaders and the best’,” said Monica Patel, policy specialist at the Ecology Center. “Even though the electricity generated won’t solve the climate crisis, it will go a long way in terms of solar energy education — just think of the awareness raised among the 100,000+ fans there on Game Day, and millions of others who tune in. The move would also give real support to Michigan's growing solar energy industry."

The petition, addressed to University President Mary Sue Coleman, Athletic Director David Brandon, and Director of Campus Sustainability Initiatives Terry Alexander, is being circulated online. Supporters also plan to seek signatures at Michigan football games this fall.

“In just a few weeks, the Ecology Center has inspired thousands of University of Michigan community members to make their voices heard on solar energy," said Jess Leber, a senior organizer at Change.org.

In 2009, University of Michigan students completed a feasibility assessment of a stadium solar project, estimating that an installation could divert 776 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The Ecology Center’s campaign is asking University officials to take move beyond feasibility assessments by engaging with Michigan’s solar manufacturers and developing a project to offset some of the stadium’s electricity use and feed it back into the grid during times when the stadium isn’t used.

The petition asks University of Michigan leadership to announce a commitment to solar energy. Today, at the college’s annual EarthFest, President Sue Coleman announced major environmental commitments at the campus, but failed to address this request to use solar energy on the biggest symbol the school has.

Comments from petition signers such as these below can be found here:

Anthony King, UM alum and Ann Arbor resident: “As an alumnus of UM, I was always taught to think of us as the leaders and best, and not just for sports. Here is an opportunity for sports and the social and academic side of the University to work together, and set an example for the nation.”

Gloria Zimet, UM alum and Ann Arbor resident: “As an Ann Arbor resident and UM alum, I see this initiative as a golden opportunity for the university and its talented students to not only support environmental sustainability, but to become nationally recognized for their leadership role by doing so at one of its most beloved and well-known arenas, the ‘Big House.’”

Photo credit: Flickr user mrkum
m

NFL stadium Farmers Field, will be the Nation's first Carbon-Neutral. http://ping.fm/cY1V7

Clinton Global Initiative Recognizes AEG for their Commitment to Action to Create Farmers Field, Nation's First Carbon-Neutral NFL Stadium

New NFL stadium, event center and modernized Los Angeles Convention Center raise the bar for sustainable entertainment and business development in a major urban area.

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting today, leading sports and entertainment presenters AEG were recognized by former President Bill Clinton for their Commitment to Action to invest $1 billion to build Farmers Field, a 72,000-seat, downtown Los Angeles football stadium and event center. As part of AEG's commitment, the Los Angeles-based organization is working with partners, including the U.S. Green Building Council and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), to ensure that Farmers Field will be the most environmentally sustainable stadium in the world and the first stadium in the NFL to be LEED certified.

Through this Commitment to Action, AEG pledges to work closely with CGI to monitor environmental results and report back on progress. This comes on the heels of a bill passed by an overwhelming 80 percent majority of the California State Senate and Assembly that will require AEG to ensure that Farmers Field is 100 percent carbon neutral for all emissions generated from private automobile trips to and from the stadium and for Farmers Field to have the best ratio of fans to automobiles in all of the NFL. The stadium will prioritize on-site and local projects before purchasing carbon offsets to support local economic development while ensuring positive environmental and social impacts. In addition, as part of their Commitment to Action, AEG will go beyond legal requirements to achieve carbon neutrality for all emissions from energy consumption and mechanical operations of the stadium. Combining these commitments with additional measures, such as water conservation and robust waste and recycling programs, including the donation of durable goods and an in-house composting program, will create the nation's most comprehensive environmental program for an NFL stadium.

"The Clinton Global Initiative is a forum for visionary companies and leaders who are committed to designing a sustainable future for individuals, businesses and communities, by repurposing business methods and culture to solve critical global problems," said former President Bill Clinton. "AEG has proven to be the world's most environmentally conscious venue operators, and Farmers Field will be another true example of their mission to marry design, innovation, social responsibility and community engagement, resulting in a measurable impact for future generations. I commend AEG as a model socially responsible company that is the hallmark of CGI."

"Farmers Field will be an example of the next generation of sports and entertainment venues, where a world-class fan experience goes hand in hand with social and environmental responsibility," said Tim Leiweke, AEG president and CEO. "We have focused during the last four years on working with some of the most respected environmental organizations in the country to create a blueprint for the stadium and, through the AEG 1EARTH program, to create the most comprehensive environmental program in the sports and live entertainment industry. Our CGI Commitment to Action underscores AEG's dedication and accountability for making this vision a reality. We are honored to be recognized by President Clinton and this prestigious organization."

"Through Farmers Field, AEG is making the most environmentally responsible choice possible, with commitment beginning at the point of development," said S. Richard Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chairman, U.S. Green Building Council. "Investing in sustainable construction and weaving carbon and waste programs into the fabric of a venue, its operations and its surroundings creates the lowest impact on our environment and the greatest return for the company."

The Commitment to Action at CGI comes just weeks after the groundbreaking environmental components of the project helped garner the support of two of California's most respected environmental groups — the NRDC and the California League of Conservation Voters.

"NRDC applauds AEG's commitment operate the most energy efficient football stadium in the nation at Farmers field to develop a best-in-the-nation public transit infrastructure for fans and to offset the carbon emissions associated with all fan travel by cars and busses," said Allen Hershkowitz, PhD., senior scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council. "Given AEG's proven record as the worlds' greenest arena operators and their commitment to work with environmental and community groups in developing their plan, I have every confidence that this goal will be achieved."

"We are so proud to have a company in Los Angeles being honored by the Clinton Global Initiative for their proven track record of providing the most innovative solutions to environmental issues while also creating jobs and opportunities for the community," Mayor Villaraigosa said. "Their tireless commitment to innovative, environmental programs such AEG 1 EARTH has set the precedent for the sports and entertainment industry across the world to follow."

"Members of organizations across the city have come together to make Farmers Field a reality," said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry. "We know that the entire city — even state — will benefit from the addition."

"Our focus locally lies not only on the environmental goals, but on the tens of thousands of jobs and tens of millions of economic benefits to the state," Speaker John A. Perez said. "AEG has been able to generate an opportunity for economic development without sacrificing our environmental standards."

"The construction of a news sports arena and convention center will create thousands of jobs and be an economic boost for the City of Los Angeles, the region and the state," Senator Alex Padilla said. "Unlike other stadium projects, this one will be built without any public funds and be built to unprecedented environmental standards."

AEG's plan is both environmental and economic. It is estimated that Farmers Field construction will create 23,000 jobs, including 12,000 full-time jobs during the construction process and 11,000 more permanent jobs at the convention center. The Los Angeles Convention Center modernization and expansion and Farmers Field project is projected to generate more than $600 million in total economic activity, raising more than $40 million in new city, county and state tax revenues.

"With record unemployment above the national average, the creation of 23,000 middle-class jobs for construction and hotel workers, stage hands, grips and janitors is critical to Los Angeles," said Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. "Our top priority is to get men and women back to work in a good job."

More information and a complete look at the 2010 AEG 1EARTH sustainability report are available at http://aegworldwide.com/about/companyoverview/aeg1earth#3.

About AEG:

AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Anschutz Company, owns or is affiliated with a collection of companies including over 120 facilities such as STAPLES Center (Los Angeles, CA), Best Buy Theater (Times Square, New York), Sprint Center, (Kansas City), Rose Garden Arena (Portland, OR), Target Center (Minneapolis, MN), Mercedes Benz Arena (Shanghai, China), MasterCard Arena (Beijing, China), O2 World Hamburg, Acer Arena (Sydney, Australia), The Globe arena (Stockholm, Sweden), O2 World arena (Berlin, Germany) and The O2 arena and entertainment district (London, England); sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) and two MLS franchises in addition to overseeing privately held management shares of the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA). AEG has created L.A. LIVE, a 4 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports & entertainment district featuring Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE and Club Nokia, a 54-story, 1001-room convention "headquarters" destination (featuring The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE hotels and 224 luxury condominiums – The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE – all in a single tower), the Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, "broadcast" facilities for ESPN, along with entertainment, restaurant and office space and developed The Home Depot Center in Carson, California designated as an "Official U.S. Olympic Training Site" by the United States Olympic Committee that includes major facilities for soccer, tennis, track & field, cycling and other sports. AEG Sports owns and operates a variety of events and tours and AEG Live is the world's second largest live entertainment, concert promotion and touring companies. The organization is also developing additional arenas in China and arenas in Stockholm and Las Vegas In addition to Farmers Field in downtown Los Angeles. In 2010, AEG launched its AEG 1EARTH environmental program with the announcement of 2020 environmental goals and the release of the industry's first sustainability report. The groundbreaking report contains metrics collected on resources consumed and wastes generated at 20 facilities from AEG's global network of venues. The report also highlights success stories such as the over 3,000 solar panels on the roof of STAPLES Center and Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE For additional information, visit www.aegworldwide.com.

About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI):

Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI Annual Meetings have brought together nearly 150 current and former heads of state, 18 Nobel Prize laureates, hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations, major philanthropists, directors of the most effective nongovernmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made nearly 2,000 commitments, which have already improved the lives of 300 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued in excess of $63 billion. The 2011 Annual Meeting will take place Sept. 20–22 in New York City.

This year, CGI also convened CGI America, a meeting focused on developing ideas for driving economic growth in the United States. The CGI community also includes CGI U, which hosts an annual meeting for undergraduate and graduate students, and CGI Lead, which engages a select group of young CGI members for leadership development and collective commitment-making. For more information, visit www.clintonglobalinitiative.org.

Gentlemen, Start Conserving!!! Going Green is not an oxymoron for NASCAR. http://ping.fm/ZRS9H

Gentlemen, Start Conserving

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Last year, 40,000 solar panels were installed at Pocono Raceway

By KEN BELSON

Published: September 12, 2011

Is green Nascar an oxymoron? After all, the sport is all about watching gas guzzlers drive at high speeds in circles for hours. Until 2007, race cars used leaded fuel. Tens of thousands of fans still drive to races in recreational vehicles and other gas hogs.

But more than any other American sport, Nascar is also a for-profit business, and like many companies these days, it is focused on cutting costs by recycling, conserving and generating its own energy. While the core of the sport remains unchanged, Nascar, its teams, track operators and sponsors are employing an ambitious set of green initiatives that includes collecting used fuel, planting trees to offset carbon emissions, and deploying sheep to keep the infield grass short.

Going green not only saves money that can be spent on drivers and cars, but it has also created new revenue by attracting sponsors to Nascar that want to trumpet their eco-friendliness to the millions of fans who watch races on television and at the track.

Of course, these efforts will not alter the essence of a sport that celebrates fast cars that burn copious amounts of gasoline, a fact that has led many critics to accuse Nascar of greenwashing, or claiming unfairly to be environmentally friendly. But many who work in Nascar say that reducing and recycling are imperative precisely because so much waste is produced, and if money can be saved in the process, all the better.

“The incongruity is part of what makes going green in this sport so impactful,” said Michael Lynch, Nascar’s director of green innovation. “There’s a bias that the sport is not green and therefore the fans aren’t green.”

Nascar is not the first sport to have an eco-campaign. Baseball teams including the St. Louis Cardinals and the Seattle Mariners are aggressively recycling and conserving. The Portland Trail Blazers, the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic among other N.B.A. teams play in arenas certified by the United States Green Building Council. The builders of a new Formula One track in Austin, Tex., are planning a host of environmental initiatives, including buying carbon offsets.

Many environmentalists support these efforts not just because of the volume of resources consumed at stadiums and at arenas, but also because so many people watch sports and are likely to follow examples set by the players, teams and leagues. This may be particularly true at Nascar races, where the event itself is about consumption.

“This is not the sport that you would expect to hear green messages, so it’s a good learning opportunity,” said Andrew Winston, who runs Winston Eco-Strategies. “You’re reaching millions of people who have not heard much about it at all and are sometimes hostile to it. So if you open their eyes to it, it’s certainly worth it.”

Indeed, the greening of Nascar is a sweeping undertaking because so many people attend so many races in so many places, at tracks that are turned into small cities with all the associated problems of garbage, water, power, sewage and air quality. To tackle these challenges in a systematic way, Nascar hired Lynch in 2008, just as teams, tracks and others in the sport started to feel the effects of the recession.

Rather than institute rules, Lynch brought people from all parts of Nascar together to figure out how environmental programs could help them cut tens of millions of dollars in costs without imposing too much strain on their operations.

Lynch started by expanding efforts already under way. Safety-Kleen, a $1.2 billion recycler of automotive fluids that started working with Nascar two decades ago, expanded its collection of used fuels, lubricants and oily rags at tracks and race team shops. In addition to the 225,000 gallons of fluids it expects to bring in this year, Safety-Kleen also recycles oil filters, fluorescent light bulbs, metal shavings, aluminum and steel.

“None of that goes in a landfill,” said Drew Patey, the director of motor sports for Safety-Kleen which, because of its alliance with Nascar, now works at IndyCar races, too. “Guys in the heartland who didn’t see recycling as a priority are seeking us out.”

Nascar also claims to have the largest recycling program in sports because of Coca-Cola and Coors Light, two Nascar sponsors that are expected to recycle about 12 million bottles and cans this season, twice as much as last year. At races, the trucking company Freightliner stations a clean-diesel rig — with a Richard Petty custom paint scheme — bearing a Coca-Cola compactor that crushes up to 1,000 containers a minute. Hundreds of tons of cardboard are also collected each season.

NASCAR Popular at Farm Progress Show. http://ping.fm/ZmTUp

Pocono Raceway Solar Farm Hits Milestone. http://ping.fm/ej3s4

NASCAR Popular at Farm Progress Show

There were quite a few race cars mixed in with the tractors and combines this year at the 2011 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois.

In addition Richard Childress and the American Ethanol NASCAR Sprint Series car at the Growth Energy exhibit, over at the Illinois Corn Growers exhibit, the Illinois Family Farmers NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Kenny Wallace was signing autographs and doing interviews.

Wallace said he was “blown away” by the Farm Progress Show. “This is like our Daytona 500! I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said in an interview with Domestic Fuel’s Chuck Zimmerman. The Farm Progress Show is the biggest outdoor agricultural equipment show in the country, which rotates between permanent sites in Illinois and Iowa and boasts over 500 exhibitors.

Pocono Raceway Solar Farm Hits Milestone

Slightly more than one year after the dedication of Pocono Raceway’s solar farm, the total amount of electricity produced by the 25 acre facility reached the 4,000,000 kilowatt hour (kWh) mark. The solar installation consists of 39,960 American made photovoltaic modules that will produce more than 72 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy over the next 20 years. The environmental attributes associated with the system will offset more than 3,104 Metric Tons of carbon dioxide annually and will generate enough power to provide the electricity needs for over 1,000 homes beyond the power needs of Pocono Raceway.“This is another important milestone for Pocono Raceway,” said Brandon Igdalsky, President and CEO of Pocono Raceway. 

“Pocono Raceway strongly believes in the commitment to operate in a more environmentally responsible way and is proud to be the first race track to power our sport with clean, renewable sunlight as the world’s largest solar-powered sports facility. This solar power system, built with timber, steel and solar panels made in the U.S., satisfies all our Raceway’s energy needs, while helping to power local homes. This project demonstrates real sustainability and proves that any business that truly wants to go green, can do it.”

The 4,000,000 (kWh) produced has already impacted the environment. The total energy generated equals the use of 22,830 light bulbs (60W) for one year at eight hours per day and represents a savings of 324,000 gallons of gasoline with a carbon dioxide (CO2) offset equaling that of 72,000 trees. The Raceway has been awarded a number of environmental awards for its sustainable energy efforts including the 2011 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards, Readers Choice Award presented by RenewableEnergyWorld.com and the 2011 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, presented each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. These awards highlight the best in environmental innovation and expertise

The Pocono Raceway Solar Farm is located along Long Pond Road adjacent Pocono Raceway’s storied two and one-half mile Super Speedway. Pocono Raceway will host two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends in 2012. The 31st annual Pocono 400 is scheduled for June 8-10 and the 39th annual Pennsylvania 400 is set for August 3-5. 

Pocono Raceway Solar Farm Hits MilestonePosted by: newsla on Sep 06, 2011 - 08:42 PM

Experts scrutinize AEG's 'carbon neutral' claim for proposed NFL stadium. http://ping.fm/iaUCQ

Experts scrutinize AEG's 'carbon neutral' claim for proposed NFL stadium

By Dakota Smith Staff Writer

Given Los Angeles' traffic woes, it's no surprise that Anschutz Entertainment Group is pitching its football stadium as a transit-friendly project accessible by several bus and rail lines. And most importantly, AEG officials add, it will be a "carbon neutral" project.

Carbon neutral? The term is a head-scratcher for even the most green Angelenos. It's also a phrase being scrutinized by environmentalists and sports experts as the developer looks to secure protective legislation for Farmers Field in Sacramento this week.

"Carbon neutrality, in general, is an elusive goal," said Ted Bardacke, senior associate at Global Green USA, a Santa Monica-based nonprofit that advises on green building and greenhouse emissions. "It can mean many things to many folks."

For instance, he said, AEG could plant trees around South Park to help offset emissions. But, hypothetically, it could also propose going abroad and capturing methane in a Mexican landfill or saving a Brazilian rain forest from development.

AEG is promising carbon neutrality and other mitigations as part of its pitch to the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown for a law that would expedite any legal challenges to the developer's environmental studies.

At this time, the company has not proposed any foreign offsets, but has not ruled them out either. The proposed legislation states offset credits will be sought only after methods to reduce emissions locally are implemented.

AEG argues its project will be carbon-neutral because it will encourage public transit options that will help reduce overall greenhouse emissions caused by private vehicles headed to the stadium.

"The legislation and many of the major environmental groups with whom we are working have identified carbon emissions from automobiles as the key priority," said Dale Goldsmith, attorney for AEG.

By focusing on transportation issues with Farmers Field, AEG will create a 21st stadium, one that capitalizes on the nearby Blue Line, the forthcoming Exposition Line and buses, he said.

Additionally, AEG officials say they could bundle NFL tickets with mass transit tickets or encourage carpooling and van service.

"This is another initiative that the city wants us to be a leader in," Goldsmith said. "The (stadium venue business) also wants us to be a leader with this."

Bardacke remains wary of how the term carbon neutral is being bandied about by both AEG and politicians.
He points to the fact that only the automobile portion is being mitigated, not all the emissions from a stadium that will use electricity and natural gas, as well as tons of concrete and steel in its construction.

"To call it carbon neutral is a parsing of the term that I don't think is appropriate," Bardacke said. "Call it trip neutral, call it offsetting of trip emissions."

For its part, AEG officials point to the solar panels on its Staples Center as an example of their commitment to green building.

Even if the entire project isn't carbon neutral, AEG is seeking LEED certification - a national standard for green buildings.

"It will be energy efficient, it will have natural gases for powering the building," said Jennifer Regan, global sustainability manager for AEG. "It will have the best available (resources) for lighting, and electrical."

Promising mitigations - before the environmental impact report is finished next spring - worries some experts, who point out that the legislation drafted in Sacramento doesn't yet spell out who will oversee monitoring the emission reduction or how it will be achieved.

"I think carbon neutrality is critical," said Jan Chatten-Brown, an environmental attorney who represented Walnut in its battle over developer Majestic Realty Co.'s competing football stadium in the city of Industry.

But before carbon neutrality can be promised, an environmental impact report has to be done to look at how many cars are expected and how those greenhouse gases will be mitigated. "Any realistic plan to achieve carbon neutrality has to be looked at through the EIR," she said.

David Carter, a sports business professor at USC, believes the promise of carbon neutrality is a "marketing pitch, business development, public relations document, and a legal document" all rolled into one.

Among his questions are whether the National Football League, and whoever owns the football team that would play in Farmers Field, will be willing to lose out on substantial parking revenue if AEG pushes itself as a transit-friendly stadium.

Still, he's not surprised by AEG's pitch.

"They will offer some balance of public transportation," he said. "Not because the fans are always going to take it, but because these team owners want to work with their respective city, so as to appear as though they are continuing to help the problem."

Danica Patrick raises awareness of COPD ahead of Baltimore Grand Prix race

AUGUST 31, 2011

Danica Patrick raises awareness of COPD ahead 

of Baltimore Grand Prix race

Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, or COPD, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, are the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to government data. It’s caused by smoking, secondhand smoke, chemicals and air pollutants. But many people don’t know they have it, according to Danica Patrick, the race car driver who has become a spokeswoman for DRIVE4COPD, a campaign aiming to raise awareness of the diseases. Ahead of her trip to Baltimore for the IndyCar Grand Prix races this weekend, she talked about her public health work.

Question: Why did you get involved with DRIVE4COPD?

Answer: My grandma had emphysema and she really suffered and died far too young at 61 years old. When the awareness campaign came along, it was a chance to turn a negative into a positive.

Q: Can you talk about COPD, how widespread it is and what people need to know?

A: Awareness is the goal. COPD kills more people than breast cancer and diabetes combined. Twenty four million people have it and only half know. There’s a definite need for awareness of the diseases and symptoms. At the DRIVE4COPD website, DRIVE4COPD.com, they make it pretty easy with five questions that give you an idea if you’re at risk.

Q: Air quality is important for people with these breathing problems, do you think about what we can do as a society to improve the situation?

A: Coming from a race car driver that’s tough. There are simple things, like not exercising or going out on busy streets, staying inside when there is smog. But many people don’t have this luxury. They can’t avoid going outside or moving from cities to less polluted areas.

Q: IndyCar has switched to 100 ethanol in its cars and taken other steps to be more green, right?

A: It’s what the world is doing — going green. We’re not only becoming more aware of our health, but we’re taking care of the world, trying to make it a little bit better too. Putting ethanol in the cars is one step.

Q: You’re switching from IndyCar to NASCAR. What’s NASCAR doing?

A: They’re taking steps too. They run on 85 percent ethanol now.

Q: What do we in Baltimore have to look forward to with the Grand Prix and urban car racing?

A: It’s something I’m very used to. We race on a lot of streets of a lot of cities. You don’t have to travel, you’re right there. It’s a great atmosphere. There’s a lot of energy. Any time IndyCar goes into a new venue, there tends to be a great turnout. There’s lots of entertainment. We do apologize for the road closings.

Q: Will you be racing in the special green race, where they try and save fuel?

A: I won’t be in that race. I might try and maximize my miles per gallon, but that will just be part of my strategy.

Q: Do you think racing and COPD aren’t so complimentary because of the air quality issues?

A: The important thing is health. My parents emphasized good health from a young age. Without health we have nothing.

Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images