VG Now Part of the VTC's "Help Desks!
The VTC holds an annual "Help Desk" in every region of Virginia. These 1-day events feature all of the programs and marketing opportunities offered by Virginia's tourism industry with real live VTC representatives on hand to assist and register tourism operators for the many free services available. Virginia Green now is part of these very important tourism outreach events! VG's Tom Griffin will be available in person to answer all of your questions. The next Help Desk is August 12th at the Smithfield Center in Smithfield!
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Virginia Green is Recognized By the National Restaurant Association!
The National Restaurant Association showcased its new Greener Restaurants program at the NRA Show in Chicago on May 22-25. The NRA chose Virginia Green and its voluntary, consumer-based approach as the perfect model for its national Greener Restaurants program. The Virginia Green connection was made throughout the many presentations and in various press releases on the new Greener Restaurants program. |
For Our Members: Interested in a Third-Party Certification Program?
As a VG participant, you have demonstrated your commitment to sustainability by self-certifying your business. If you are ready to take your sustainability commitment to the next level, you may be interested in obtaining what is called a third-party certification.
The VG program does not endorse any particular third-party certification program, but as a resource to our members, we are providing information about the Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP); others may be highlighted in the future.
According to its parent organization, STEP is the world's first comprehensive, global sustainable tourism eco-certification program offered by a non-profit organization, which is aligned with the minimum baseline Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) and impending global accreditation.
Third-party certification may result in expanded market reach and recognition, as well as improved profitability. For additional information on STEP, please visit www.ecocertification.org or contact Thomas Singer at thomas@ourflatplanet.com. |
Virginia Green is a voluntary self-certification program for the Commonwealth's hospitality and tourism industry intended to reduce the industry's environmental footprint while promoting its economic sustainability. It operates as a partnership between the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association.
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 Virginia Green Gazette
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 Going Virginia Green in Honor of the Blue Ridge Parkway's 75th Anniversary!
For 75 years, Virginians and our visitors have enjoyed the inspiring natural beauty of the National Park Service's Blue Ridge Parkway - the recreational opportunities, the many regional attractions, the scenic drive itself - all made possible by the inspiring natural resources of the Blue Ridge Mountains. What better way is there to honor this national treasure than to make Virginia's tourism industry greener itself?
To celebrate the BRP 75th Anniversary, we are challenging our industry to help us recruit 75 new participants for the Virginia Green program, our statewide campaign to promote green practices throughout all sectors of our tourism industry. But time is limited, as the BRP75 celebration takes place September 10-12 in Galax. Please join the Virginia Green program or help us to recruit as many new participants as possible! To join, go to www.deq.virginia.gov/p2/virginiagreen or to www.virginia.org/green.
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 Richmond MultiSports Races are Virginia Green and nearly Zero Waste Events!
90-95% of waste materials diverted from the landfill -that is what the Richmond Multi-Sports race series is now achieving during its 7-race schedule this year. Reduction numbers like these take planning, commitment, aggressive recycling (including compost collection and pickup), manning of the "eco-stations," and ensuring that all disposables are actually compostable (from Green Duck Compostables, another Virginia Green partner!). Way to go race director Laurie Mehler and good luck in your quest to reach "zero wastes"! |
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Thinking of making energy efficiency improvements to your property?
Businesses that buy their electricity from Dominion Virginia Power or buy their natural gas from Columbia Gas of Virginia may be able to receive rebates on energy efficient upgrades.
Through the recently launched "HVAC Rewards Program," which provides rebates of between $17 and $40 per ton for the installation of new or the replacement of existing PTAC and PTHP systems, unitary and split air conditioning units, air source heat pumps, water cooled chillers, and air cooled chillers. To qualify, the new unit must feature a rating that is greater than the current national minimum efficiency standards. If you are considering a lighting upgrade, Dominion Virginia Power also has the "Lighting Rewards Program" which provides rebates on a per-fixture basis for the retrofit of existing lighting with more efficient lighting. Both the programs require the work be completed by a licensed contractor who has registered with Dominion's network or as a self installation. For more information, visit the HVAC Rewards webpage or Lighting Rewards webpage.
Columbia Gas of Virginia is also offering rebates through the "Warm Wise Business Savings Program" which provides cash rebates for certain energy saving upgrades. Rebates are given for the replacement of pre-rinse spray valves with qualifying low-flow pre-rinse spray valves, replacement of coin-op or laundromat clothes washers with qualifying ENERGY STAR washers, installation of a new or replacement of an older hot water heater with a high efficiency gas storage, tankless, or direct contact water heater, installation of a new or replacement of an older gas boiler with a high efficiency hot water or steam gas boiler, installation of a new or replacement of an older furnace with a high efficiency gas furnace. To see the details on the program including the rebate amounts and efficiency requirements, visit Columbia Gas of Virginia's Warm Wise webpage.
Not a customer of Dominion Virginia Power or Columbia Gas of Virginia? Check the VISE website for other utility rebates: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/p2/vise/financial.html |
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