DC Hotelier Buys RECs for 100% Wind Energy

June 2, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Great Addresses, an independent hotel management company, has purchased 100-percent green energy portfolios for its flagship properties in Washington, D.C., by partnering with World Energy Solutions Inc., which operates online exchanges for energy and green commodities. The hotel management company worked initially with World Energy to procure a 36-month electricity contract with 10-percent green power for its D.C. lodgings, The Carlyle Suites Hotel and The Savoy Suites Hotel.

Based on these savings, Great Addresses then invested in a three-year strip of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) on the World Green Exchange to green its entire energy purchase, which means the Carlyle Suites and Savoy Suites Hotels will effectively run on 100-percent wind power for the next three years, says the company.

Phil Adams, president of World Energy, based in Worcester, Mass., says one of the “most significant ways companies can go green is by re-thinking how they procure energy and making renewable energy a fundamental part of their standard energy purchase.”

According to a survey commissioned by Deloitte last year, about 34 percent of business travelers “seek out hotels that are environmentally friendly.” Most hotel chains including the Hilton Hotels are meeting their sustainability goals by reducing energy consumption, CO2 emissions, waste output and water use.

Similarly, the Carlyle Suites and Savoy Suites Hotels also are implementing sustainable business practices such as partnering with green-minded vendors, updating guest rooms and function areas with energy-efficient lighting and water-saving devices, and adding eco-friendly amenities.

Another example is the Great Wolfe Lodge’s Project Green Wolf initiative, created to make all of its family resorts environmentally friendly. Great Wolf Lodge, based in Madison, Wisconsin, says it is the first and only U.S. hotel chain to have all U.S. properties Green Seal certified silver. Green Seal recently established its Laureate Program to recognize companies for their leadership in meeting eco-friendly standards.

The resort chain says certification has helped the company use less electricity, gas, and water, which saves natural resources and reduces. At Great Wolf Lodge in the Pocono Mountains, Pa., for example, the company saved nearly nine million gallons of water in one year by changing plumbing fixtures to low-flow units.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.

Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader