MGM Resorts has announced that it is joining the US Energy Department's Better Buildings Challenge, a national pledge calling for organizations to voluntarily reduce their building portfolio energy use by 20 percent in ten years.

"Innovating our resorts to operate more efficiently while also offering a remarkable guest experience, is a top priority for our company." said Cindy Ortega, Chief Sustainability Officer of MGM Resorts International. "Joining the Better Buildings Challenge is another step in our promise  to guests, employees and our surrounding communities to employ sustainable best practices at all of our resort destinations."

Launched in 2011 by President Obama, the Better Buildings Challenge supports the President's broader goal of doubling American energy productivity by 2030 while motivating corporate and public sector partners across the country to save energy through commitments and investments. In the past year, the initiative has recorded more than 190 participating organizations, including: local governments, school districts, universities, and commercial real estate, healthcare and manufacturing companies. 

MGM Resort is the first company in the entertainment, gaming and hospitality industry to join the Better Buildings Challenge.  

"By committing to cut energy use by 20 percent, Better Buildings Challenge partners are demonstrating how businesses and organizations are reducing our nation's energy bill, creating American jobs, and protecting the environment," said Dr. David Danielson, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. "With commitments representing more than 3 billion square feet of floor space, these partners are leading the way to a cleaner energy economy."

At the National Summit, the Energy Department announced that Better Buildings Challenge partners successfully reduced the energy use of their buildings and industrial facilities by more than 2.5 percent in 2013. These energy savings are the equivalent of about $100 million a year.

Participation in the Better Buildings Challenge communicates MGM Resorts many energy conservation commitments and aligns its efforts with other leading companies to support the President's mission.

Earlier this year, the company initiated a program to install 1,600 induction technology lighting fixtures covering 160 acres of open lot parking area at its resorts in Las Vegas. These lamps are ideal for the hot Las Vegas climate and will have an operating life of up to 20 years.  An estimated 2.7 million kWh will be saved annually following the project's completion.

Additionally, MGM Resorts recently announced the expanded Convention Center at Mandalay Bay that will include a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) array making it the largest convention center array in the world. The anticipated size of the array is approximately 1.9MWdc with an approximate annual production of 3.4M kilowatt hours. The previously announced 6.2MWdc solar PV array on the current Convention Center is slated for completion in August; the combined array will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,300 homes.