USA Gymnastics this weekend will use wind-energy offsets and digital programs to create its greenest Visa Championships to date at the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota. The NGB is using Xcel Energy to off-set its electric usage at the venue with wind energy from Minnesota wind farms. It also will eliminate printed programs, provide results via its website rather than by printing them and put iPads on the field of play to provide coaches and athletes with starting lists and live scoring during the event. USAG President Steve Penny said, "We're used to passing results down the head table and printing programs and doing things that basically eat paper. We wanted to deliver those results using technology in a way that's environmentally sensitive and make an effort to be not only green but use technology at a level we're capable of." The organization tested the technology at an event earlier this year. Penny tried it and said he was able to use his iPad to see all the results and information available to the judges. He added, "I was able to get more than I was able to ask for." Penny said in the future USA Gymnastics will look for venues and facilities that are focused on environmental sustainability.
