50th Annual Grammy Awards Goes Green

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 10, 2008) — As one of the nation’s most relevant and progressive cultural institutions, The Recording Academy has partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and STAPLES Center to significantly reduce the environmental impact of its milestone 50th GRAMMY Awards telecast and related events.

 

The GRAMMYs' first-ever greening initiative — which included the use of renewable energy to power STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center and a variety of other energy-saving solutions — was led by The Recording Academy in collaboration with the NRDC, one of America’s most influential environmental organizations, and the LADWP. The effort included LADWP’s provision of a month’s worth of renewable wind power to STAPLES Center, substantially exceeding the energy requirements of the multi-day event and offsetting carbon emissions of the Pre-Telecast and Arrivals; incorporating hybrid and other types of fuel efficient automobiles into the event’s fleet; promoting recycling and reducing waste generated by the annual event; and using recycled materials in paper products (including the GRAMMY program books, invitations and other print materials), to protect biodiversity and further reduce greenhouse gases. The progressive project, which will be further enhanced at future GRAMMY Awards telecasts, will continue to target ecologically significant impacts including global warming, pollution and energy use, paper products, set design, transportation, and food service.

 

 “With the help of NRDC and the LADWP, we have integrated environmentally intelligent practices into every aspect of the GRAMMY Awards and GRAMMY Week activities," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "‘Going Green’ is an extension of our mission to positively impact the lives of musicians, industry members, and society-at-large, and we are committed to doing our part to make our world healthier and help combat the threat of global warming.”

 

NRDC, the nation's leading environmental research and advocacy organization, was instrumental in helping to oversee every aspect of this collaboration with The Recording Academy to assure that ecologically intelligent practices were implemented. The Academy and NRDC arranged for the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power to conduct an energy audit of STAPLES Center and advised the production team on changes that could be made to reduce the use of fossil fuels, encourage the use of recycled paper, prevent waste, and offset carbon emissions. Results included:

 

Collectively, these impacts enable the GRAMMY Awards and STAPLES Center to reduce its contribution to the accumulation of global warming gases in the atmosphere by more than 1,100 tons.

”The GRAMMYs truly understand the power of a strong voice, and this is a major step for them to meaningfully reduce the environmental impact of this year's production,” said NRDC President Frances Beinecke. 

 

“The LADWP has been a leader in supporting clean, renewable energy and is proud to be working with the GRAMMYs in making this year’s celebration of music a 'green' event. Its successful Green Power for a Green LA Program, which is open to all LA residents and businesses, was started in 1999 and just in the last year it supported the delivery of over 62,000 megawatt-hours of green energy to Los Angeles. Over 23,000 residential and commercial LADWP customers participate in the voluntary program helping to make LA the greenest big city in America,” said Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Chief Executive Officer and General Manager H. David Nahai.

 

“The amount that we accomplished during this inaugural effort exceeded our expectations. The intelligence and energy that The Recording Academy and John Cossette Productions brought to this noble endeavor sets an example for future productions, as well as for businesses,” said Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, senior scientist at NRDC who managed the greening effort. “By advocating environmental responsibility from one of the music world’s best known organizations, we hope to promote positive changes in the way businesses and individuals think about our Earth, and, especially, in the way that they act.”

 

Viewers interested in learning how to reduce the environmental impact of their home, office, or event can find information on the GRAMMYs' initiative at www.nrdc.org.

 

“On behalf of AEG and STAPLES Center, I wish to congratulate The Recording Academy, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and NRDC for the commitment and investment they have collectively made to insure that the 50th GRAMMY Awards here at STAPLES Center sets an example of an ‘environmentally responsible’ production,” said Lee Zeidman, Sr. Vice President and General Manager, STAPLES Center. “Having partners who share our commitment to energy and waste management, recycling, conservation and proper purchasing practices is something as an organization we strive to bring to STAPLES Center.”

 

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Beijing. For more information on how to green an event or organization, go to www.nrdc.org.

The Green Power for a Green LA Program is just one of the programs under the LADWP Green LA Environmental Programs umbrella. Other programs include the Consumer Rebate Program, the Refrigerator Retire Program, the Trees for a Green LA Program (in conjunction with Million Trees LA), CFL distribution, and the Solar Incentive Program. Information on these environmental and energy saving programs is available at www.ladwp.com or by calling 1-800-Green LA.

 

The LADWP is the largest municipally owned utility in the nation; the LADWP was established more than 100 years ago to provide water and electricity to meet the needs of the City’s residents and businesses. LADWP currently serves more than 3.9 million people in the City of Los Angeles.