DELEG Announces Green Lodging Certification for Royal Park Hotel - Rochester Facility Earns Steward Certification

Contact: Mario L. Morrow 517-373-9280

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

April 5, 2010 - Royal Park Hotel, located in Rochester, has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Steward certification from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG).

Green Lodging Michigan encourages hotels, resorts, motels, and bed & breakfast facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving "green" practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste, and participate in environmentally preferred purchasing.

"This accreditation is the mark of environmental responsibility of hoteliers who are committed to ‘green' business practices that make environmental and economic goals their top priority," said DELEG Director Stanley "Skip" Pruss. "Green Lodging Michigan is also helping to ensure the viability of our lodging facilities and the thousands of jobs related to Michigan's hospitality industry."

The Royal Park Hotel in Rochester has implemented several environmental initiatives at their facility. They have a linen and towel reuse program as well as low flow fixtures to conserve water. They reduce waste through recycling, providing newspapers only when requested and offering paperless check-in and check-out. Royal Park Hotel has also installed Energy Star lighting and equipment to improve energy efficiency. They have also recently had an energy audit to help identify other energy conservation options.

"We're very happy to receive this certification which recognizes that being a local steward of the environment is not only the right thing to do, it's a great business decision," said Royal Park Hotel General Manager Jay Haratsis. "We will continue to meet the challenge as a four diamond hotel to identify ways in which value-added luxury and responsibility can work in harmony toward reducing the use of water, electricity and gas to increase sustainability."

Green Lodging Michigan is a joint effort between DELEG and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) to encourage the lodging industry to conserve and protect the state's natural resources while increasing marketability and lowering utility costs.

"Green Lodging Michigan has been an effective way of including hoteliers in the effort to help Michigan continue as the leader in environmental beauty and abundant natural resources," said Rebecca A. Humphries, director, Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE).

Green Lodging Michigan is a voluntary and non-regulatory certification program offered through the Bureau of Energy Systems in DELEG to hoteliers at no charge. The Bureau of Energy Systems and the DNRE provide technical assistance to those who are interested in implementing "green" strategies and earning certification. The GLM program certifies facilities based on environmental initiatives such as air quality, energy efficiency, solid waste reduction, toxic waste management, water conservation, purchasing and communication. There are three levels of certification: Partner, Steward, and Leader, which can be earned by completing a self-assessment checklist and achieving a minimum number of requirements and points.

The Bureau of Energy Systems promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy resource development to Michigan's residents, businesses, and public institutions. For more information about the Green Lodging Michigan program and to download the GLM application packet and self-assessment checklist, visit the website at www.michigan.gov/greenlodging.

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