LAKE TAHOE, CALIF.—Days two and three of the West Coast Green Lodging Conference, held at the Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe—Hotel & Ski Resort, were highlighted by presentations by the following: Kelly May, who is with the California Department of General Services’ California Green Lodging Program; Janine Chicourrat, general manager, Portola Hotel & Spa; and Sara Schoen, LEED AP, commercial real estate associate, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
In her presentation, May described how more than 200 hotels in California are benefiting from participating in that state’s Green Lodging Program—a program focused on minimizing waste, conserving energy and water, green purchasing, improving indoor air quality, and hazardous materials management. The state program currently has 150 hotels waiting to be certified at either the Participation (one palm) or Leadership (two palm) level. Those properties earning a point total of from 250 to 299 join the program at the Participation level; those earning 300 points or more earn Leadership status. May said the program eventually will have a third and fourth certification level.
Why green your hotel? In addition to increasing your property’s value and reducing energy and water costs, May said, “Being green means your staff and guests are healthier.”
May suggested some different ways to improve the success of a green program. “Create a survey, suggestion box, comment card or online evaluation for guests and employees,” she said. “Create incentives for employees and guests. Have a green employee of the month. Hold an eco happy hour and donate proceeds to a green organization. Start a tree planting program.”
Participants Get Extra Marketing Exposure
May said those properties in California that participate in that state’s Green Lodging Program benefit from marketing exposure in AAA guides and in online travel agency directories. She concluded her presentation by saying that the California Department of General Services is currently putting together a vendor directory for participants in its Green Lodging Program.
David Hansen, chief engineer, Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe—Hotel & Ski Resort, followed May’s presentation with a brief overview of his hotel’s participation in the Green Lodging Program. The Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe—Hotel & Ski Resort is currently certified at the Leadership level.
“It took us six months to prepare for certification,” Hansen said. “Why was it important to get the certification? You need a third party to come in and keep you honest.”
Janine Chicourrat, general manager, Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey, Calif., described her property’s attempt to achieve LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance at the Silver level. The certification is still pending.
“I was looking for a way to create an identity for the property,” she said. “To be able to say we are the first LEED certified hotel in Monterey will go a long way.”
Measurable Savings, Gains Tied to LEED Process
Chicourrat said the LEED process has resulted in significant operational improvements at the 379-room hotel. More than 70 percent of waste is now recycled and the property saw $37,000 in energy, water and other savings in the first six months after pursuing LEED. Through the first eight months of the year, the hotel has attracted $854,000 in group business because of the green path that was taken.
Chicourrat provided details of the various costs involved with the LEED application process—a total of $311,183 was invested; this included capital investments in everything from new entryway mats to LED lighting to air handler upgrades. The total also included costs related to commissioning and consultants. Chicourrat said the hotel’s owners have already recovered their investment. The Portola Hotel & Spa’s general manager offered important advice to those interested in pursuing LEED.
“You need to hire a LEED AP to guide you through the process,” Chicourrat said. “Hire an energy consultant and dedicate an individual to compile the information that is needed. Hire someone to flesh out grant opportunities. If you don’t have the right director of engineering in place, you will never do this. The utility company needs to be on board early in the process. It will take longer than you think and capital investments may be greater than anticipated.”
Chicourrat said an important result of the LEED process is a sense of pride in the team effort.
Sara Schoen, commercial real estate associate for USGBC, described why buildings are the main focus of USGBC’s efforts. Buildings consume 40 percent of all energy in the United States, eat up 72 percent of all electricity, more than 13 percent of potable water, and generate 60 percent of all non-industrial waste.
Those buildings that earn LEED certification can reduce energy usage from 24 to 50 percent, carbon dioxide emissions by 33 to 39 percent, water use by 40 percent, and solid waste generation by 70 percent.
Earning LEED Will Become More Challenging
Schoen explained the LEED process for existing buildings and said it is a process that will be updated every three years. USGBC expects building owners to have their buildings recertified at least every five years. She explained that LEED will become more challenging over time as the system is improved.
Schoen said USGBC is currently working with representatives of the lodging industry to rewrite some of the criteria for LEED points. Changes will address how USGBC scores efforts in these areas: commercial kitchens/restaurants, swimming pools and spas, laundry, light pollution, alternative transportation, integrated pest management, and daylighting and views.
Organizers of the West Coast Green Lodging Conference announced that the event will be held again next year. Watch for details in Green Lodging News.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
