FREE TOOL TO MEASURE HOTEL
SUSTAINABILITY
New software has been developed
that can help compare the energy use,
water demands and carbon footprints of
hotels to help hospitality facility managers see how their portfolios stack up
against the local and national competition. The free tool, developed by researchers at
Cornell University’s Center for Hospitality Research, uses aggregated information from
4,725 hotel properties grouped into chain scale segments for easier comparison.
The Microsoft Excel worksheet provides 12 data tables so operators can select from
available locations and size of the operation to get the most accurate benchmarking
information for their property. Included in the measurement are readings on carbon
footprint per room, occupied room or area unit; hotel energy use per occupied room or
area unit; and water use per occupied room or area unit.
FIRST NATIONAL FOOD WASTE REDUCTION GOAL
The EPA and USDA have joined forces to create the first national food waste reduc-
tion goal for the U.S., aiming for a 50% reduction by 2030. With food loss and waste
accounting for over 30% of the food supply and the single largest component of dis-
posed municipal solid waste, the initiative could cut down on disposal. It will also put
a dent in the methane emission levels from landfills, which are the third-largest source
of greenhouse gas emissions in the country.
The agencies will lean on initiatives such as
the U.S. Food Waste Challenge, which has over
4,000 participants in industries such as grocery
stores, restaurants, venues and other organizations. The program also provides tools for waste
prevention, food donation and composting to
help organizations reduce waste and cut their
carbon footprints.
FMGREENUPDATE
16 FREE INFO: Circle 111 on Reader Service card
or Buildings.com/freeinfo
www.spot-coolers.com
800.367.8675
RENTALS & SALES
STAY
THIS WINTER
WARM
HEATING
Heat pumps provide a warm
change for any cold environment:
offices, lobbies, schools,
warehouses, daycare centers,
retail spaces, nursing homes
or any other place
that requires immediate,
reliable, supplemental heat.
NEW E-FILING FOR CLEAN
WATER ACT COMPLIANCE
Facilities that intend to discharge
potentially harmful contaminants are
now required to submit the forms
electronically rather than with paper
reports.
The new National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Electronic
Reporting Rule provides more clarity
about when organizations are and are
not in compliance, as well as creating
an accurate, nationally consistent set of
data about the NPDES program.
The new rule will require discharge
monitoring reports, notices of intent
to discharge in compliance with a
general permit, and program reports
to be submitted electronically. The
EPA is quick to note that the amount
of information required will remain the
same, only the reporting mechanism
will change.
SOLAR POWER FOR NORTH
CAROLINA SCHOOLS
K- 12 public schools in North Carolina will
be getting a new source of renewable
energy thanks to a program that will
install pole-mounted solar photovoltaic
systems on 14 school sites.
The 5 k W solar array systems are
designed to provide an educational tool
for students as well as enough renewable energy to power a school’s main
office. Additionally, the new campus
installations are estimated to produce
6,570 k W and save up to $657 per year.
Applicants for the new project will be
selected based on need, with schools in
economically depressed counties receiving preferred status. The initiative is the
result of a partnership between the State
Employees’ Credit Union and the nonprofit NC GreenPower.
