Feb. 18, 2008 - The Dallas Cowboys are submitting their new stadium, currently under construction in Arlington, Texas, for consideration under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Performance Track program for high-performing facilities, Dallas Business Journal reports. If accepted, the stadium would be the first in the NFL - in fact, the first new construction in general - to be included in the program.

Performance Track recognizes facilities that demonstrate a track record of "environmental excellence." The voluntary program requires companies to implement an environmental management system to achieve specific improvements in environmental performance over the three-year membership period. Since the Cowboys' new stadium is a new construction, the team's old stadium, built in 1971, will serve as the baseline for comparison.

EPA is hoping Performance Track will catch on with other teams in the league. "We see a lot of cachet to having an NFL franchise team participating in the Performance Track program," according to Craig Weeks, a Performance Track coordinator. "We would hope they'd all join over the next ten years."

Due to their large size, sports arenas can enjoy significant operational benefits from environmental upgrades such as low-flow plumbing and energy-efficient lighting. In the U.S., basketball's Orlando Magic and baseball's Washington Nationals are both seeking LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for their respective stadiums. (The Dallas Cowboys are also considering applying for LEED.)

See a preview of the Cowboys' new stadium, slated to open in 2009, here.