Rays buy carbon credits from Bonneville Environmental Foundation

by webdoyenne on Apr 10, 2008 11:20 AM EDT

The Tampa Bay Rays changed team colors to a deep blue in 2008, but continue to embrace green. The team is expanding its green initiative with its program "Teaming Up for the Environment."

The Rays will be purchasing Green Tags, carbon credits for renewable energy, from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, based in Portland, Ore., to offset the CO2 produced from all fans traveling to Tropicana Field, and all energy consumed at Tropicana Field.

The program began by focusing on opening day Tuesday. The Rays will also purchase Green Tags to offset the CO2 produced from all Rays employees traveling to and from work throughout the year, and six additional game nights.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Holy crap!

That's pretty incredible, I've got to say. I never really expected to see a major league team that extra step, but I'm glad to see that the Rays have at the very least. Shows that the organization cares about the community and environment too, not just baseball. This just further cements in my mind why they're my favorite team.

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 10, 2008 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

Thank you Al Gore

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Apr 10, 2008 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice...

Ha! Thanks...yeah, I guess I did come off as that. In my defense, I'm an environmental studies major and I just finished reading a book on global warming. Actually...don't know if that helps my case or not...

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 11, 2008 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Definitely a good step

And yet another sign that this team wants to be a helpful and productive member of the local community, I think. It is just another commitment to the area, and I'm glad to see the team take an extremely responsible step to mitigate the effects of what is probably one of the most energy-consuming major league stadiums.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 11, 2008 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

Hooray Carbon Credits!!! Paying a company to make you feel good about creating CO2!!! I wish I came up with the idea to get large companies to pay me to feel better about operating their buisness!

I'm all for using renewable energy, recycling and using "green" products and the like, but carbon credits are a crock! That money could be used on something useful, like a 2nd round pick that hasn't already had TJ!!!

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Apr 11, 2008 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Kinda like paying the Pope for forgiveness

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." - Robert S. Weider

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 11, 2008 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for that expert analysis, Tyler

The Ivy League businessmen who could already be retired should be taking cues from you on environmental policy. It's obvious that they're not informed enough to spend their own money. Your in-depth knowledge of how carbon credits actually work is evidenced by your intricate and detail-oriented dissertation of them. I'm sure money appropriated for this "crock" would be re-directed into baseball operations if it weren't spent here. Damn environment! Robbing us of a quality draft pick or useful free agent!

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 11, 2008 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

You regularly criticize an Ivy League business man who could already be retired on his choice in policy all the time. So does that make you wrong?

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Apr 11, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

It doesn't make me wrong, and it doesn't make them right.

Same with you, my statement doesn't imply that they're wrong and you're right. You're misreading my sarcasm, which is directed at how you explained your opinion rather than what your opinion actually was.

If there's one thing people can't accuse me of, it is being reserved in my arguments. When I disagree with the organization or someone else, I'm very long-winded about doing it simply because I feel that anything short of covering all facets of the discussion cheats my position. You, on the other hand, just parroted right wing talking points in citing vague generalities about the carbon trading program.

My comment about the stature of the organization indicates my respect for them, and I have always respected them even in disagreement. No matter whether I agree with them or not, I always know that there is a logical reason behind what they're doing, and I respect their ability to make it.

Your statement, on the other hand, implied ignorance on their part and an opportunity cost of a "real" second round pick rather than actually addressing your disagreements with the program.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 11, 2008 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

How much of this is posturing to get rid of that nasty air conditioned dome and go green in the great outdoor stadium?

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." - Robert S. Weider

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 11, 2008 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

That's probably part of it

The team's extensive press releases on this matter are obviously designed to attract good PR for being a good corporate citizen. But in the grand scheme of things, the move is economic for them and for the city, and I don't think they'll try and delude people into thinking otherwise.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 11, 2008 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions