November 1, 2013

Dear Boston Green Tourism Members,

 

The minutes from the October 24 meeting are below, with links to the presentations. See the other sections, too.  Our next meeting will be December 5 at Renaissance Boston Waterfront.

Dan

                                 Boston Green Tourism Meeting       

 

                                           October 24, 2013                                                                                    

Location: Sheraton Boston

Hosts: Jeff Hanulec

 

Present: Jeff Hanulec, Marcella MacKenzie, Scot Hopps, Ryan Parker, Al Vaughn, Stacy Diamantini, Rob Vass, Kevin Lubinger, Steve Burrington, Donna Sheeran, Alex Alexandrovich, Tim Blanchard, Mike Duffy, Kerri-Ann Richard, Jim Cochin, Gerri Weiner, Jim Cochin, Jeff Mann, Joe Duquette, Lou DiPrete, Tom Laggan, Dan Ruben.

 

PRESENTATIONS

Energy Savings Opportunities in Hospitality Swimming Pools: Pumps and Lights  

North East Commercial Sales Manager, Pentair Aquatic Systems  

 

 Variable speed pool pumps have an outstanding ROI, too, and they are much quieter than the pumps they replace. LED swimming pool lights have a terrific ROI and often illuminate the pools better than their replacements.

            

How Pulping Systems Can Help Hotel Restaurants Reduce Food Waste and Save Money

Louis DiPrete, Territory Sales Rep, Hobart

 

Many institutions, including hotels, use food waste pulpers to eliminate 88% of their waste. Pulping systems enable facilities to comply with the upcoming MA food waste ordinance.

 

New LED Lighting Applications

Joseph Duquette, Outside Sales/Energy, Reflex Lighting 

 

LED cove lights are now certified by Energy Star and DLC, and qualify for Mass Save incentives. Mr. Duquette also introduced us to other new LED products: downlights, troffers, garage fixtures, wall paks, A lamps and candelabra bulbs. The Reflex Lighting Energy Efficiency Incentive Manual helps businesses take advantage of the Mass Save incentive program. 

NEWS

Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO): Draft Regulations are Available for Comment

The draft regulations for BERDO are now available for public comment. Oral testimony can be presented to the Air Pollution Control Commission at a hearing on November 12 at 9:00 a.m. in City Hall room 900.

 

Written comments are due by November 15. They should be addressed to the Air Pollution Control Commission, and sent to [email protected], or to Nikhil Nadkarni, Environment Department, City Hall, Room 709, Boston, MA 02201.

 

Anthony Dinatale, the Director of Engineering for Westin Waterfront, is the hotelier on the BERDO Advisory Committee.

 

The final regulations are scheduled to be published in December. Hotels and other commercial buildings must submit their 2013 Portfolio Manager scores to the City in May.

 

"The ordinance, when fully implemented, will require all buildings larger than 35,000 square feet or 35 dwelling units to report their annual energy and water use to the City through EPA's Portfolio Manager. The City will then make this information public. Additionally, every five years, buildings will need to conduct an energy assessment or energy action; buildings that are already efficient or are making progress on energy efficiency will be exempt." 

 

New Report--Climate Ready Boston: Municipal Vulnerability to Climate Change 

The City's Climate Ready Boston program is preparing strategies to make Boston resilient in light of climate change--particularly sea level rise, severe storms and heat waves.

 

This week, Mayor Menino unveiled a new report, Climate Ready Boston: Municipal Vulnerability to Climate Change. It discusses the expected impact of climate change on city facilities, services and programs, and how the city can address these challenges.

 

The report is one part of the community-wide climate preparedness plan. It will inform Boston's Climate Action Plan update, which will be finished in 2014.

 

Here are two related projects of interest to hotels: 

  • Later this month, the Climate Preparedness Working Group will recommend actions that businesses can take to reduce their vulnerability to climate change.
  • The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) is assessing the vulnerability of the city's building stock and updating its zoning and permitting for new development based on climate change impacts. 

A guide that helps local businesses prepare their properties is, Building Resilience in Boston: Best Practices for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience for Existing Buildings.

IDEAS

Toilet Uses Only 0.8 Gallons per Flush      

The high price of water and the urgent need to conserve water in many areas has prompted companies to develop more water efficient technology, including ultra-high efficiency toilets.

 

Several years ago, Niagara Conservation patented toilets with vacuum technology. Their single-flush unit enables a good, quiet flush using only 0.8 gallons. Their dual-flush toilet uses 0.5 gallons for a half-flush and 0.95 gallons for a  full flush. (I recommend single-flush units for hotels, because guests often press the wrong button.)

 

Many U.S. hotels  and other facilities have installed these toilets already.

 

Here is a calculator used to determine the impact of new toilets on your water bill. Click the "Download" button to get the interactive version. To get your ROI for purchasing the new toilets, you will need to ascertain the purchase and installation costs and the price your hotel pays for water.

 

BGT member Conservation Solutions Corporation is one company that installs ultra-high efficiency toilets our area.    

OPPORTUNITIES
 
ARTICLES
The Federal Energy Management Program analyzed three installations of magnetic bearing chiller compressors. This equipment cut energy use by an average of 49% compared to reciprocating and screw compressors. It's also quieter, lighter and requires less maintenance. The FEMP found that this equipment is most economical for new chiller installations and for chillers that often run at partial load conditions. If you consider this technology, ask whether it qualifies for a Mass Save incentive. 

 

Press Release, September 25.   

2013 MEETINGS

December 5: Renaissance Boston Waterfront