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PANAMA CITY BEACH – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
today welcomed the La Quinta Inn & Suites Panama City Beach to the Florida
Green
Lodging Program. The property is the 182nd in the state to become a designated
member of the program. 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 pleased to welcome the La Quinta Inn & Suites Panama City Beach to
the Florida Green Lodging Program family,” said DEP Northwest District Director
Dick Fancher. “By reducing water use, conserving energy, improving air quality
and implementing a recycling pick-up program, the management at the La Quinta
Inn is demonstrating their commitment to help protect, restore and conserve
Florida’s natural resources.”
To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels
must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include, but are
not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures,
a linen reuse program, energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR®
appliances and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by
providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing
recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All designated
members of the Florida Green Lodging Program must also use green cleaners and
high efficiency air filters.
“We are proud to be the first La Quinta Inn in the state, and the first hotel
in Bay County to be designated in the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said Matt
Griffitts, Owner of the La Quinta Inn & Suites Panama City Beach. “Our staff is
excited about our ‘green’ commitment, pledges to do their part to help preserve
our natural resources and will share their enthusiasm with our guests. We also
challenge all franchised La Quinta’s in the state and all hotels in Bay County
to join the ranks of designated green hotels in Florida.”
Recently, Governor Crist announced the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit
on Global Climate Change this month, building on the foundation for Florida’s
energy future that 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. This year’s 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 a 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 204 designated properties and more than 365
applicants. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary,
non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting
the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and
the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including
on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to
citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is
to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for
future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.
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