Free Environmental Audits Uncover Major Funding Opportunities for U.S. Hotels to Go Green

After decades working in the hospitality industry, I’ve seen many trends come and go. But a few years ago when climate change really started to come into focus and people began talking about ways to create a sustainable hospitality industry, I knew that eco-hospitality was not going to be just another passing fad. It was here to stay, and rightfully so.

And these days, with all the attention being paid to the environmental and economic benefits of cutting energy consumption, it’s a rare hotelier who has not at least considered implementing a sustainability initiative at his or her property. But many never get beyond the wishful thinking stage, because the process can seem so daunting – and expensive.

That’s why I started my company, EcoGreenHotel. We help lodging facilities address sustainability issues and implement environmentally sound initiatives. EcoGreenHotel recently partnered with the great folks at Atlantic Energy Solutions Inc. – a leader in assessing the energy demands and usages of municipal, corporate and industrial complexes – to take the concept a step further.

Together we created an innovative new Environmental Support Program that helps hoteliers design, fund and successfully launch their green initiatives. As part of that program, since May we’ve been offering free on-site environmental audits to all U.S. hotels! So far, over 30 properties from across the country have taken advantage of the offer, and the results have been amazing.

I would like to cite the example of one New York City hotel that is affiliated with a major franchise brand, because it really demonstrates what an in-depth environmental audit can reveal.

This particular hotel had already made progress in its sustainability plan, but like most, it still had room for improvement. Atlantic Energy Solutions’ engineers conducted an in-depth analysis of the property and identified several ways to increase its energy efficiency. The engineers recommended a variety of upgrades, including lighting, in-room thermostats, third-party energy procurement, participation in a demand response program, and energy monitoring software.

And the best news? Our team identified rebates, tax breaks, incentives and savings that will not only pay for those upgrades, but will also produce a positive cash flow for the property from Day One!

The amount of rebates and incentives available to that project was incredible gaining a six figure year one positive cash flow effect. We’ve identified ways to give that hotel an exceptionally rapid return on investment and ongoing energy savings of over $44,000 annually. And as we conduct these audits across the country, we’re uncovering tremendous opportunities for properties of all sizes because we’ve got staff totally dedicated to finding rebates and incentives.

I want to reiterate that the no-obligation assessment is totally free of charge. Atlantic Energy Solutions covers the cost of travel and other expenses for its environmental professionals to conduct the on-site audits, which consist of a thorough evaluation of each property’s electric, gas and water consumption.

Then, based upon the engineer’s findings, the team prepares and submits a free, no-obligation report and proposal to each hotel. The comprehensive report and proposal includes concrete steps the hotel can take to increase its energy efficiency, and includes a cost/benefit breakdown and a list of funding streams for which the property might qualify.

Not only are energy efficiency projects like these great for the environment and a hotel’s bottom line, they also form the basis for an entirely new marketing focus. Sustainable travel is a growing segment that the savvy hotelier would be wise to tap into. Our unique program makes it easier than ever for lodging facilities to quickly and cost-effectively go green.

Environmental audits will only be available free for a limited time. I invite property owners and managers to call me personally at (888)229-0213 Ext.801to schedule their hotel’s free on-site audit.

For more information visit: www.EcoGreenHotel.com

Florida’s Green Lodging Program: Only the good die young…

A few weeks ago in a blog post, I sang the praises of Florida’s outstanding Green Lodging program (FGLP). Established in 2004 by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), FGLP’s small but dedicated staff has helped hundreds of properties statewide implement meaningful green initiatives, and has made their program a model for the country.

That’s why I was so saddened to learn that due to drastic budget cuts, the FGLP as we know it will cease to exist on July 1st. According to a recent article in the Orlando Business Journal, the program’s budget of $337,000 was slashed to $63,000, and three of its four staff positions were eliminated.

You read that correctly – one employee and $63,000 to support the current stable of over 500 designated green properties, in addition to handling hundreds more that have filed their applications and are on the waiting list for FGLP approval.

Beginning July 1, initial site visits to determine compliance with program standards will become a thing of the past. Annual recertification will fall by the wayside, too, as will easily accessible expert advice from live DEP staff.

Instead, there will be occasional webinars, an online application process that will allow a property to assert that it has implemented its green initiative – and be approved – sight unseen, and a watered down renewal process.

FGLP’s official web site optimistically calls the changes “program improvements” and attempts to calm fears that the model project will become nothing more than a rubber stamping mechanism that allows undeserving properties to falsely bill themselves as environmentally responsible. In part, the web site states:

Maintaining environmental excellence in the program is of utmost importance to DEP. While the program will now be administered primarily online, it will not be a self-certification program.

I did not add the bold print in the statement above; DEP did. Publicly declaring that the FGLP will not be a self-certification program sounds brave and decisive, but unfortunately it also sounds like wishful thinking.

The stakes are extremely high for hoteliers in Florida, where approximately half of all the state’s visitors (many of whom are eco-conscious travelers) stay in lodging facilities, and where the Governor has mandated that all state-related conferences and meetings be held in certified green lodges whenever possible.

Yes, there’s big money to be made from earning FGLP’s green certification. Since the program has been so skillfully administered thus far, green certification truly meant something in Florida. The properties that earned it had every reason to be proud, and the ones on the waiting list knew they’d have to tow the line to get certified.

There is now a realistic fear that green lodging designation in Florida will be as easy to come by as a bad sunburn.

I understand that times are hard. Every line item in every state’s budget is on the chopping block, so the gutting of FGLP is not a huge surprise. But it is a huge disappointment, and I sincerely hope that Florida will find a way to restore the program to its previous funding levels – and high standards – post-haste.

Has your city’s or state’s green lodging program also taken a funding hit? Tell us about it at info@ecogreenhotel.com.

About EcoGreenHotel
A valuable resource for green hotels, EcoGreenHotel is dedicated to helping lodging facilities address environmental issues and implement environmentally sound initiatives. The company’s online presence at www.EcoGreenHotel.com offers a marketplace for green hotel products and services and provides a one- stop venue for green hospitality industry news, basic environmental overviews and other tools like green hotel checklists, project ideas, book lists, and valuable links designed to promote a more sustainable hospitality industry.

EcoGreenHotel’s green hotel consulting services guide owners, operators and developers through the journey of developing and/or maintaining a sustainable operation or project.

For more information about EcoGreenHotel, please visit www.EcoGreenHotel.com or send an email me Scott Parisi at sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com.

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