By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-861803.mp3
Albany, NY – A new initiative encourages hotels and inns to "Go Green" - Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis has announced the launch of a pilot program he descibes as a "new initiative" to certify lodging establishments as "green" for employing environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Forty-three hotels and inns -- spread across every region of New York - have signed on for the certification process.
Under The Green Lodging Certification program, hoteliers focus on saving energy, trimming waste disposal, using water efficiently and conserving resources, while improving their bottom line. Candidates will be evaluated in energy efficiency, environmental management, pollution prevention and resource conservation. Green credentials will be certified by the Audubon GreenLeaf program.
The certification program is part of a larger initiative to support and market sustainable tourism throughout New York, highlighting the state's diverse natural resources as tourism destinations, connecting travelers to green businesses and assisting New York's tourism businesses to go green.
The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYS P2I, www.nysp2i.rit.edu) will conduct the program in conjunction with the Partnership, providing technical assistance and site visits. NYS P2I provides direct assistance to state businesses and organizations to green their operations and enhance their bottom line.
Click HERE
For more information about green hotel certification. To access DEC's "Greening Your Business" web page, go to: dec.ny.gov/chemical/52717.html.
GREEN HOSPITALITY INITIAL MEMBERS Long Island 1. Gurney's Inn Resort & Spa - Montauk 2. The Stiring House Bed and Breakfast - Greenport New York City 1. Grand Hyatt - NY 2. The Beekman Tower Hotel - NY 3. Westin - NY Hudson Valley 1. Bear Mountain Inn - Bear Mountain 2. Fox Hill Bed and Breakfast - Highland 3. Mohonk Mountain House - New Paltz 4. Ritz-Carlton Westchester - Westchester 5. Tarrytown House Estate and Conference Center - Tarrytown 6. The Rhinecliff - Rhinecliff Capital Region, Catskills, Leatherstocking 1. 74 State - Albany 2. Crowne Plaze - Albany 3. Glens Falls House - Round Top 4. The Fairlawn Inn - Hunter 5. Amsterdam Castle - Amsterdam 6. The Otesaga Resort Hotel - Cooperstown 7. Gideon Putnam Resort - Saratoga Springs 8. Hyatt Place Saratoga/Malta - Malta 9. Saratoga Farmstead Bed & Breakfast - Saratoga Springs Adirondacks 1. Elk Lake Lodge - North Hudson 2. Holiday Inn - Plattsburgh 3. Shaheen's Motel - Tuper Lake 4. Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks - Silver Bay 5. Sleep Inn & Suites - Queensbury 6. The Glen Lodge Bed & Breakfast - Warrensburg 1000 Islands, Mohawk Valley 1. Holiday Inn - New Hartford 2. Best Western Carriage House Inn - Watertown 3. Capt. Thomson's Resort - Alexandria Bay 4. White Pillars Lodging - Canton Central 1. Berry Hill Gardens Bed & Breakfast - Bainbridge 2. Aurora Inn & E.B. Morgan House - Aurora 3. Bed & Breafast Wellington - Syracuse 4. La Tourelle Resort & Spa - Ithaca 5. Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conf. Ctr - Syracuse 6. Turtle Dreams - Groton Finger Lakes, Rochester 1. Bristol Harbour Resort - Canandaigua 2. RIT Inn & Conf. Ctr - Rochester 3. Radisson Hotel -- Corning Western 1. Adam's Mark Hotel - Buffalo 2. Asa Ransom House - Clarence 3. Days Inn Batavia - Batavia 4. Super 8 Batavia - Batavia