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PORT ST. JOE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
recognized Turtle Beach Inn as the state’s 4th property to receive the Florida
Green Lodging Program Two Palm designation. The Two Palm designation recognizes
increased energy conservation and pollution prevention measures since the
property’s One Palm designation. The voluntary state initiative provides the
lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to
adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural
resources.
“We are proud to recognize the voluntary, environmental accomplishments of
the Turtle Beach Inn,” said DEP Northwest District Director Dick Fancher. “Their
conservation achievements serve as an example to the lodging industry in
Florida’s Green Lodging Program.”
To receive the Two Palm designation, hotels must maintain the green practices
established during One Palm designation for at least 12 consecutive months.
Properties conduct an environmental baseline assessment and demonstrate a
reduction in energy and water consumption as well as waste disposal. In
addition, facilities must have developed and implemented performance improvement
goals and evaluated their progress. The highest level of designation is the
Three Palm designation, which occurs after a property has maintained Two Palm
status and demonstrated continual improvement for three consecutive years.
Since initial designation in January 2006, the family owned and operated
Turtle Beach Inn, with bed and breakfast and cottage units, has decreased water
use by replacing aerators in kitchen sinks and bathrooms. Replacing these
devices reduces the amount of water flowing from the faucet and makes water
usage more efficient. The Inn has also installed energy efficient bulbs in
fixtures most frequently used throughout the facility and has increased
recycling efforts to include plastics as well as aluminum. High efficiency
particulate air filters, which cleanse the air by removing particles such as
mold and mildew spores, were also installed.
Recently, Governor Crist announced the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit
on Global Climate Change this June, building on the foundation for Florida’s
energy future began at last year’s summit. During the 2007 summit, Governor
Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use policies,
including one that requires state agencies and departments to hold meetings and
conferences only at hotels with Florida Green Lodging Program designation as of
January 1, 2008, whenever possible. The summit will explore technologies and
strategies to stimulate economic development in clean technologies as well as
“green” Florida’s business community.
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes
environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and
prevent pollution. As reward for designation, the state is recommending
designated properties in the Florida Green Lodging Program to companies and
trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention
facilities. To date, the program has 169 designated properties and more than 335
applicants.
For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
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