Houlihan's South secures renewable energy certificates

Houlihan’s South, which opened Sept. 13 at 2110 E. Republic Road, has secured Green-e Energy-certified renewable energy certificates for the generation of 258 megawatt hours of renewable energy, according to a news release from the company.

The company will match the certificates with its electricity usage, enabling it to avoid 185 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. That amount is the environmental equivalent of the carbon dioxide absorbed annually by 40 acres of forest, and equal to the amount produced in a year by 35 cars, the release said.

According to Springfield Business Journal archives, the estimated cost for the Houlihan’s South facility was $1.7 million, financed by Empire Bank. The 7,000-square-foot eatery was designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Gold standards, with energy efficient features that include a geothermal mechanical system and solar wall and roof panels to provide power. link to:

In addition to making its own power use more environmentally friendly, pairing the certificates with its electricity usage allows Houlihan’s to support the operation and development of renewable energy projects nationwide, with benefits that include reduction of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel use, green job creation and development of renewable energy resources, the release said.