HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time in its 79-year-history, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ will be supported by 100 percent renewable energy thanks to Reliant Energy. Reliant has purchased Texas renewable energy credits (RECs) to meet the estimated electricity usage the full 20 days of the 2011 Rodeo.
“We are helping move clean energy forward,” said Jason Few, Reliant Energy President. “Reliant is committed to renewable energy. Being the largest purchaser of renewable energy credits in the state demonstrates our leadership in renewable energy in Texas. As a long-time supporter of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, we will continue to lead by example as we help thousands of Rodeo patrons learn how they can save energy and lessen their environmental impact.”
In addition to purchasing RECs, Reliant will be at the Rodeo to share information with visitors about steps they can take – big and small – to be more energy efficient and protect the environment.
“Working with Reliant to buy 100 percent renewable energy for the Show is a big deal for us, and we are proud to be part of it,” said Skip Wagner, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president. “Supporting the use of renewable energy aligns with what we do and who we are. We certainly want to do what we can to protect the environment and preserve our natural resources.”
The RECs Reliant normally purchases are created when electricity is produced using resources such as wind, solar, biomass or hydro power. By purchasing additional credits, Reliant ensures that an amount equal to the electricity consumed by the Show is generated from renewable sources, in this case Texas wind farms.
Reliant offers the choice of 100 percent, Texas-generated wind plans, and all of the company’s secure plans include 20 percent Texas wind, both of which are supported by RECs.
As a Heritage Partner, Reliant has supported the Rodeo for many years through charitable giving and having a presence at the Show. The company recently donated $33,250 to the Show’s Educational Fund, and in the last year, Reliant and its parent company NRG Energy have donated nearly $80,000 to the Show. In addition to its charitable giving, Reliant is organizing a number of activities at this year’s Show, scheduled to run through March 20. Activities include:
Reliant SmartHouse
The Reliant SmartHouse is on display inside Reliant Center (Hall B). Visitors can stop by the house to learn about new and easy ways to make their homes more energy efficient, smart energy, electric vehicles and other new energy initiatives that can help save money and protect the environment.
PowerMobile
Visitors are invited to step up to the Reliant Energy PowerMobile – located near the McNee gate – to play games, watch videos and learn more about energy efficiency. The PowerMobile will be on-site from 2 p.m. - 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on weekends.
Power Pics
Families can feel like they are in the center of the Rodeo action and create a lasting memory of their Rodeo visit by taking a picture in front of a variety of rodeo-themed backgrounds inside Hall B of Reliant Center and also inside the stadium behind section 105. They can even win a chance to meet professional cowboy Clint Cannon by entering the “Snapshots with a Cowboy Sweepstakes.”
Power of Art
Reliant is encouraging budding young artists and helping schools with funds for art supplies. Through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Program, local students in kindergarten through eighth-grade have submitted rodeo-themed drawings – on display at the Hayloft Gallery in Reliant Center and on reliant.com/powerofart – to win money for art supplies at their school, courtesy of Reliant. Voting will determine the winner. Visitors can vote in person at the gallery or at reliant.com/powerofart.
Reliant Rodeo Round-Up
Each year Reliant hosts the “Reliant Rodeo Round-Up” in conjunction with the Show. During Round-Up, local media celebrities competed on Feb. 28 to win donations from Reliant to their favorite youth education non-profit organization. The Round-Up – in its fifth consecutive year – is a light-hearted rodeo relay challenge that has helped raise more than $55,000 for non-profits.
Random Acts of Kindness
Reliant employee volunteers participated in the Show’s Random Acts of Kindness on March 10. Throughout the day, Reliant employees performed good deeds to surprise and delight Rodeo patrons.
Student Recognition Program
Reliant rewarded 19 hard working elementary and middle school students with tickets to the March 6 Selena Gomez concert at RODEOHOUSTON. Principals, teachers and parents nominated the students for shining in one of three areas – academic achievement, most improved or outstanding citizenship – through Reliant’s Student Recognition Program.
For more information about Reliant’s Rodeo activities, visit reliant.com/rodeo.
About Reliant Energy:
Reliant Energy provides electricity and energy services to more than 1.5 million retail customers—including homes, small and large businesses, manufacturing facilities, government entities and institutions across Texas. The company also offers service to commercial, industrial, governmental and institutional customers in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. As part of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG), Reliant Energy is backed by one of the nation’s largest power producers. NRG owns and operates more than 25,000 megawatts of generation capacity, including more than 11,000 megawatts of capacity in Texas. For more information about Reliant Energy products and services, visit www.reliant.com.