State program will recognize green practices

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The firm that operates the Gideon Putnam Hotel collects used cooking oil for biofuel, recycles old carpeting and has installed electric cars charging stations.

The state wants to recognize and reward companies with similar environmentally friendly practices under a newly launched New York Green Business initiative.

Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Conservation Martin Brand discussed the program Tuesday at the Gideon Putnam, which Buffalo-based Delaware North manages under a 20-year contract with the state.

“In today’s world it’s more im-

portant than ever to protect the environment we all share,” Brand said. “We in New York are now on the front line of this national battle. Business, consumers and government can work together to enhance the bottom line and create jobs in an environmentally sustainable way.”

Green practices and environmental stewardship are good for the planet, and business, said Robert Berrey, Gideon Putnam general manager.

“We just hosted The Nature Conservancy here for an entire week,” he said. “Groups concerned about this issue would rather stay someplace that does the kinds of things we’re doing.”

Companies statewide have until Dec. 15 to apply for Green Business program.

Approved firms will be allowed to market themselves as environmental leaders, with formal state recognition. They will also have priority access to technical assistance and experts at the Pollution Prevention Institute, plus access to a network of sustainability leaders.

Program participants should not only comply with environmental laws, but go above and beyond mandatory regulations to help save the planet.

For example, IBM has kept large volumes of styrofoam out of landfills by not allowing it in workplace cafeterias. Anheuser-Busch, which has a plant in Baldwinsville near Syracuse, reduces waste with new-style cans made with less metal, Brand said.

Companies can also be more sustainable by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water use, toxic chemical use, plus procuring green products and locally-sourced food, and using zero emissions vehicles.

The program has special entry requirements for breweries, restaurants, and garment cleaners to address their specific environmental impacts. The DEC has scheduled a series of webinars to assist businesses in applying to the program. Dates and times are:

• Nov. 13, (10 a.m.) All applicants that are not a brewery, garment cleaner, or restaurant.

• Nov. 13, (2 p.m.) Garment cleaners.

• Nov. 20, (1 p.m.) Restaurants.

• Nov. 20, (3:30 p.m.) Breweries.

Delaware North is almost 10 years into its contract, with the state parks system, to run the Gideon Putnam and recently completed a $1.25 million renovation of the hotel’s large ballroom and lobby space outside it. Plans call for redoing hallways, starting two weeks from now, followed by guest rooms. Such work will include new carpeting, lights, wallpaper and decorative artwork. All torn up carpeting and old textiles are being recycled, Berrey said.

This project is part of $20 million in upgrades Delaware North is making during the life of its 20-year contract.

Previously, it spent $7 million on improvements to the restaurant, lobby, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Delaware North also runs the concessions at Niagara Falls State Park, and owns Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack near Rochester and Hamburg Gaming near Buffalo.