New Bills stadium won’t seek a LEED certification for sustainable energy use

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The new home of the Buffalo Bills won’t be as sustainable as it could be.

The new stadium will not seek LEED certification for sustainable energy use. That’s according to Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, who spoke to our NBC affiliate in Buffalo.

LEED stands for “leadership in energy and environmental design.” It’s a globally used accreditation program that helps builders reduce their buildings’ impact on the environment and on climate change, via the energy they consume and how they operate.

Poloncarz said it would be too expensive, adding 15% to 20% to the cost to get the certification.

The new stadium in Orchard Park will already cost $1.4 dollars. Of the six NFL stadiums built since 2010, three are LEED-certified.