POCONO RACEWAY ACTIVATES WORLD’S LARGEST SOLAR-POWERED SPORTS FACILITY
25-Acre Solar Site to Provide for Energy Needs of Racetrack and Local Community

July 30, Long Pond, PA---As the country begins to aggressively seek alternative energy sources, a significant new solar energy project is ready to flip the switch in what might be considered an unlikely place – a NASCAR racetrack in Long Pond, PA.

Yet, considering the major sustainability programs being initiated throughout the NASCAR industry, the 3 megawatt ground-mount photovoltaic solar energy system at Pocono Raceway is completely in step with a sport taking major strides to preserve the environment.

The 25-acre solar installation, located adjacent to the 2.5-mile race track, is so large it’s visible from outer space.  With its 40,000 photovoltaic modules drawing energy from the sun, it will become the primary electric energy source for the race track while adding electricity to the local power grid. 

“This is an important milestone for Pocono Raceway and our sport,” said Brandon Igdalsky, President of Pocono Raceway.  “Pocono Raceway strongly believes in the NASCAR industry’s 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.”

“NASCAR is committed to becoming a leader in environmental responsibility by reducing our impact and serving as a testing ground for innovative new approaches for sustainability,” said Brian France, Chairman and CEO of NASCAR. “This meaningful green project reflects the NASCAR industry’s collaborative approach to preserving the environment and highlights Pocono Raceway’s significant contribution as the first major U.S. sports venue to go green with 100% renewable energy.  We encourage other tracks and sponsors to follow this lead in making sustainable programs and renewable energy a continued priority for the sport.”

The Pocono Raceway Solar Project, developed by enXco, and owned by Pocono Raceway, host of two annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series summer events, is located along Long Pond Road adjacent to the storied raceway on land that previously served fan parking needs but is no longer used due to a reconfiguration of other parking lots on the property.

The installation consists of nearly 40,000 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.

Amid the recent push to find alternative energy sources, the benefits of solar power have been tested and proven time and again.  It is virtually silent, produces zero emissions and is the most readily available energy source on Earth.

“We are proud to partner with Pocono Raceway to develop the largest renewable energy stadium project in the world by more than two times,” said Peter Solomon, Director, Solar Origination at enXco. “The Pocono Raceway Solar Project marks the first project for enXco in Pennsylvania and also our first turnkey solar project.  We recognize the dedicated efforts of NASCAR to become more sustainable and we look forward to helping other tracks to follow Pocono’s leadership to reduce their carbon footprint through the generation of solar energy.”

NASCAR fans have strong feelings about individual and corporate responsibility in caring for the environment.  These fans have become more engaged in environmentally-minded activities, such as recycling and using energy efficient light bulbs, according to the most recent independent research (Experian Simmons National Consumer Survey):

• Green is important to NASCAR fans: 3 of 4 NASCAR fans (77%) believe each of us has a personal obligation to do what we can to be environmentally responsible compared to 75% of the overall U.S. population.

• Green companies are recognized by NASCAR fans:  2 of 3 NASCAR fans (65%) indicate companies should help consumers become more environmentally responsible compared to 64% of the overall U.S. population.

• NASCAR fans exhibit “green behavior” in their everyday lives: More than 80% of NASCAR fan households recycle, up +12% over the past 5 years.

• Green products are increasingly used by NASCAR fans: Approximately 40% of NASCAR fan households use energy efficient light bulbs, more than double the amount just 5 years ago.

An official dedication ceremony will take place today at 11:00am today at the solar site along Long Pond Road across from Gate 3 with special guests along with local officials and representatives from Pocono Raceway, enXco and NASCAR.  Photos and audio will be available at NASCARMedia.com.

About enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company:

enXco (www.enxco.com) - an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company (www.edf-energies-nouvelles.com) develops, constructs, owns, operates and manages renewable energy projects throughout the United States. For more than two decades, we have been a leader in wind-energy focusing on large-scale wind projects. Today enXco’s portfolio includes solar and biomass technologies, in an effort to help drive our nation’s transition to a sustainable energy economy. enXco is a significant owner and developer of wind-energy installations in the United States, and is the leading third-party operations & maintenance provider for wind farms in North America.

About NASCAR and the Environment

NASCAR and its partners and key stakeholders are committed to improving the communities in which the sport operates, mitigating the sport’s environmental impact, piloting new green technologies, and sharing conservation messages with fans.  The sanctioning body is now leading an industry-wide initiative to reduce its environmental impact, while providing a proving ground for new green technologies.  With the input of environmental experts and motorsports industry constituents to ensure the inclusion of all perspectives, NASCAR is implementing initiatives on and off the racetrack that demonstrate a dedication to protecting the environment, including the largest recycling program in sports.  Drivers, teams, and track operators are working diligently on the issue of recycling, land conservation, and adopting alternative energy sources.  Sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Coors, Goodyear, Office Depot, Safety-Kleen, Sprint and UPS are setting benchmarks for their dedication to keeping green.

2010 SUNOCO RED CROSS PENNSYLVANIA 500 BENEFITS DISASTER VICTIMS

July 28, Philadelphia, PA--- For the third straight year, the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania is proud to be a partner for the 2010 Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500.  This weekend-long event kicks off at Pocono Raceway Friday, July 30^th, and culminates with one of the premiere NASCAR events of the season on Sunday, August 1. 

In 2008, Sunoco and Pocono Raceway created a partnership with the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter to provide much-needed funds for Red Cross House, SEPA Chapter’s one-of-a-kind short-term residence in West Philadelphia where local families begin their recovery from fires, floods and other disasters. Last year, 309 families (883 people) from Southeastern Pennsylvania stayed at Red Cross House for an average 21-day stay. Last year, SEPA Chapter responded to 685 disasters, helped more than 10,000 people at disaster scenes, provided financial assistance to 3,014 people (924 families), and operated 11 disaster shelters. 

 “We are grateful for the continued generosity of Sunoco, Pocono Raceway and the Mattioli family,” said Red Cross SEPA Chapter CEO Tom Foley. “The proceeds from this event will directly benefit the many families in our community who have been and will be affected by disasters this year.” 

“Our partnership with the Red Cross and Sunoco has been such a huge success the last several years. We are excited to be part of such a wonderful event, while supporting such a deserving cause,” said Pocono Raceway President Brandon Igdalsky. 

As a corporate partner of the Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter, Sunoco provides free gasoline for the Chapter’s emergency response vehicles to help defray the cost of local disaster relief operations. 

“It’s rewarding to know so many people have been helped by the partnership Sunoco and Pocono Raceway has with the Red Cross,” said Bob Owens, Sunoco’s Senior Vice President of Marketing.  

In honor of the military, several high ranking military leaders from around Pennsylvania and surrounding states will serve as Grand Marshall.   

“The Red Cross has a long and proud tradition of helping our men and women of the armed forces during peace and wartime, so having members of our military serve as Grand Marshall is a natural choice,” Foley said. 

The Grand Marshall will have the opportunity to attend the NASCAR drivers’ meeting, tour the garage area, be on the pit crew and communicate with the drivers, ride in the pace car and begin the race with the official NASCAR phrase, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” 

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