July 7, 2014
Dear Boston Green Tourism Members,  
                                                  

The next Boston Green Tourism meeting will be Thursday July 24, from 2:30 to 4:00 at Sheraton Commander Hotel, in the Terrace Room, floor 1. Directions are here.

 

Thank you to our host: Al Vaughn! 

 

I hope to see you at the meeting.

 

Dan Ruben 

SPEAKERS
Al VaughnDirector of Engineering,Sheraton Commander Hotel           
Al will will discuss the Sheraton Commander's recent projects, including window 
replacement and new, energy efficient PTAC units. He will also describe the hotel's plans for the coming year.

 

 

Alex Grace, Director of Business Development, KGS Buildings  

Alex Grace will discuss the ways that facilities use Fault Detection and Diagnostics software to prioritize maintenance needs, gain instant intelligence about the source of comfort problems and identify energy saving opportunities  

 

 

Stephen BeamDirector of Business Development, Renewable Choice Energy  

Stephen  will review renewable energy and carbon offset options available to hotels, and discuss the  benefits associated with incorporating a renewable energy and carbon offset strategy. His company has hotel clients in Boston and around the U.S.
 
 
Michelle Blakemore Faroni, Education and Outreach Manager, The Furniture Trust  

Michelle will discuss furniture reuse and recycling for hotels. Her organization removes used furniture from Boston area businesses, donates it to local non-profits and provides the businesses with good PR opportunities.

IDEAS

Advice for Incorporating EV Charging Stations at Hotels

There are now over 90,000 electric vehicles in the U.S., and sales growth is strong. Boston hotels have responded by installing EV charging stations, and more are planned for the coming year. 

 

Jennifer Miller, an Arizona State University graduate student, wrote a paper that advises hotels about getting the most benefit from charging stations. Glenn Hasek summarized Ms. Miller's recommendations in his Green Lodging News blog:

 

"Miller suggests educating staff about EVs, such as charging needs, and hotel policies regarding these vehicles. Valet staff should be particularly knowledgeable about EVs and policies. Charging stations should be listed online with sites such as PlugShare so that potential guests are able to find your property.

 

Charging station information should also be on your own website and in any other collateral that you publish...Make sure it is clear where charging stations are located in parking areas, charging types, and associated fees, if applicable. Also clarify time limits in case there is more demand than availability. And...think about ways you can join up with other EV station sites to help promote your region as EV friendly."  

  

 

Is an Electric Van in Your Hotel's Future?

In December, Zenith Motors introduced a 12-seat electric-drive passenger van that has a 90 or 110 mile range, depending on the battery size. It's expected to save well over $100,000 in fuel costs over the van's 300,000 mile life, and sharply reduce maintenance costs and downtime. 

 

It takes up to 6.5 hours to recharge the van's battery when it's fully depleted. Hotels that buy the upgraded on-board battery charger can recharge the depleted battery in only 4 hours.

 

The EPA recently certified the Zenith van to run on U.S. roads. It's the first electric van to qualify.

 

The Zenith van with a 110-mile range costs $89,500 after federal rebates, but not counting state rebates. (See the article below regarding MA rebates.)

 

Given their economic advantage, I think that electric vans have a very bright future. 

NEWS

Hostelling International Boston Awarded LEED Silver Rating  

HI-Boston became the city of Boston's first LEED certified hotel! 

 

The President of the U.S. Green Building Council said, "LEED certification identifies Hostelling International Boston as a showcase example of sustainable design and demonstrates [its] leadership in transforming the building industry."

  

Mayor Walsh said, "Hostelling International Boston is raising the bar for the hospitality industry in Boston." 

 

Previously HI-Boston earned the US Green Building Council's Award for Innovation in Green Design. It has earned TripAdvisor GreenLeader Gold status.

 

Congratulations to GM Bob Sylvia and his colleagues who planned and built this building!

 

 

MOTT Now Lists TripAdvisor GreenLeader Hotels 

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) now lists hotels that have achieved TripAdvisor GreenLeader status. MOTT continues to list hotels certified by Energy Star, LEED, Green Key and Green Seal.

 

If your hotel is a GreenLeader, you can access its listing on the MOTT website and check the appropriate box. If you don't have your password, or need other help, contact 

[email protected].

OPPORTUNITIES

Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations 

Will your hotel purchase a new vehicle in the next several months? If so, consider buying one that qualifies for the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources' limited-time rebate.

 

The rebate is up to $2500 for purchasers of electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles. This program will last until its $1.86 million fund is exhausted.

 

This rebate is in addition to the federal incentive that ranges from $2,500 to $7,500. See the MOR-EV website for more information.

 

 

MA established a similar program (MassEVIP) for EV charging station. They will provide half of the funding for charging station hardware, up to $25,000, for employers' Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations. This program will also last until its funding is used up.

 

As mentioned in the last BGT newsletter, U-Go Stations is installing some level 2 and level 3 stations for free. See that newsletter for more information.

 

 

New Mass Save Energy Efficiency Incentives Offered by NSTAR

NSTAR announced new incentives for commercial customers to purchase lighting and lighting controls. 

  • Networked Lighting Controls: There are new incentives for lighting controls that use daylight sensors, occupancy sensors and scheduling strategies to save energy.
ARTICLES
Green Lodging News, June 9.


 

The Lenox Hotel and Bern Unlimited will offer guests complimentary biking helmets.

 

How to Green Your Hotel Spa

Peter Friis, Green Lodging News, June 23.

UPCOMING MEETINGS   

The following BGT meetings will be 2:30 to 4:00. Please mark them in your calendars!

 

July 24:  Sheraton Commander

September 18

October 23

December 4:  Langham Boston                  

 

See you July 24 at Sheraton Commander!