DELEG Announces Green Venues Certification
for Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center
Facility Earns Steward Certification
Contact: Mario L. Morrow 517-373-9280
Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
October 7, 2010 - Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center, located in Ypsilanti, has earned Green Venues Michigan Steward certification from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG).
Green Venues Michigan encourages entertainment venues, convention centers, and similar 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.
"The Green Venues accreditation is a mark of environmental responsibility awarded to facilities that are making ‘green' business practices their top priority," said DELEG Acting Director Andrew S. Levin. "By upgrading to green and implementing cost-effective practices these venues are helping to ensure their continued success and the viability of thousands of jobs related to Michigan's hospitality industry."
Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center has implemented several environmental initiatives at their facility including:
- Using low flow fixtures to reduce water consumption;
- Purchasing minimum 30% post consumer recycled content paper products;
- HVAC controlled by a computerized Energy Management System;
- Property wide recycling effort. Materials recycled include cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, metal, batteries, and others;
"Eastern Michigan University has continued its commitment to improving the environment on campus, and this certification is evidence of some of our efforts," said Steven Moore II, Eastern Michigan University's Energy and Sustainability Manager. "The Convocation Center is one of our showcase facilities, and all of the staff take great pride in keeping the operations as ‘green' as possible."
Green Venues Michigan is a voluntary, non-regulatory certification program offered through the Bureau of Energy Systems in DELEG at no charge. The Bureau of Energy Systems provides technical assistance to those who are interested in implementing "green" strategies and earning certification. The GVM 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 Venue Michigan program and to download the GVM application packet and self-assessment checklist, visit www.michigan.gov/energyoffice and click on the Green Venues Michigan link under Programs towards the bottom of the page.
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