Home Publisher's Point of View Number of U.S. LEED Certified Hotels Now at 150

Number of U.S. LEED Certified Hotels Now at 150

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In the coming week I will be chatting with a representative of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) regarding LEED v4, the new version of LEED that will be introduced at Greenbuild in Philadelphia beginning November 20. Be sure to watch for the article. LEED v4, which came together after USGBC received more than 21,500 comments, is set to include LEED Hospitality-New Construction, LEED Hospitality-Existing Buildings, and LEED Hospitality-Commercial Interiors rating systems.

It had been a long time since I received an updated list of LEED certified hotel projects but I received such a list this past week. I often receive requests for this list. If you would like to receive it, shoot me an e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

There are now 235 LEED certified lodging/hotel projects, and another 1,381 LEED registered hotel/lodging projects (pursuing certification but not yet certified). Of the 235, 33 of the projects are considered confidential by USGBC so I can only provide a breakdown of 202 projects. Of the 202, 150 are in the United States.

California is State with Most Certified Hotels

The state with the most LEED certified hotels is California with 25. Following California are New York with 11, Pennsylvania with 10, Texas and Florida with nine, Nevada with eight, and Colorado with seven. States still without a LEED certified hotel: Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.

Outside the United States, there are 10 LEED certified properties in China and India and four in Mexico. Interestingly, eight of the certified hotels in India have achieved LEED Platinum.

Of the 202 projects, 38 are Certified (the basic level), 69 have earned LEED Silver, 76 have earned LEED Gold, and 18 have earned LEED Platinum. According to USGBC, there are just four LEED Platinum lodging properties in the United States: Crash Pad (a hostel), Chattanooga, Tenn.; Hotel Skyler, Syracuse, N.Y.; Proximity Hotel, Greensboro, N.C.; and Bardessono, Yountville, Calif. Achieving LEED Platinum is obviously still a rare accomplishment in our industry.

LEED remains a highly relevant certification program in lodging and, as you will see in my article coming soon, it is becoming even more relevant.

Green Lodging News Adds Hotel Fitness as Directory Partner

Green Lodging News welcomes Hotel Fitness as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Hotel Fitness is introducing its new generation of Green Series cardio equipment. Durable and stylish, the Green Series includes two distinct lines in a contemporary matte black finish. Each equipment line is designed for commercial use and features high-efficiency AC and DC motors, maintenance-free drive systems, friction-reducing treadmill belts and self-powered cordless ellipticals and cycles. Call (800) 291-0403, e-mail info@hotelfitness.com, or go to www.hotelfitness.com for more information.

Who is Your Sustainability Champion?

Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

Looking for Guest Columnists

Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

Planning Advertising for 2013/2014?

Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2013 and 2014. Many excellent spots are available on the website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2013 or 2014 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.

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As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

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