The vast influx of guests coming to a city hosting the Super Bowl is so substantial that host areas must begin planning more than two years in advance of the NFL's championship game.

The Dallas Morning News reported that last year's Super Bowl in that city produced about $200 to $250 million in additional spending from consumers in town for the game. Considering the average person spends about $1,000 during the weekend festivities, the direct economic impact of the game, generated by several thousand people, is exceeded only by the amount of energy they consume.

This weekend, Lucas Oil Stadium, along with several other NFL facilities operating locally in the city, will be powered in part by 15,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy certificates from Green Mountain Energy Company. Transportation will be facilitated by carbon offset credits, while solar power and trees will be integrated into local neighborhoods.

"Green Mountain Energy Company has helped us reduce the overall environmental impact of Super Bowl activities," the NFL's Jack Groh told Indianapolis TV station WISH. "Together, we have been able to expand the way we address greenhouse gas emissions and leave a permanent benefit to the host community."

Business owners across the United States interact with far fewer customers on a regular basis than will merchants in Indianapolis this weekend, which goes to show that any business owner can integrate high-quality energy enhancements to their properties.

Commercial property owners in Louisiana and New Jersey – the hosts of the next two Super Bowl games – have plenty of time to conduct commercial inspections that will help their businesses achieve energy efficiency prior to the glut of NFL fans arriving.