February 1, 2008 - Crystal Mountain Resort located in Thompsonville, has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Leader certification from the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG), moving up from the Steward level. Crystal Mountain becomes the first resort to achieve this highest level of accreditation and was one of the first facilities to achieve GLM certification when the program was launched by DLEG in October 2006.

Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) encourages hotels, resorts, motels, and bed & breakfast facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving ‘green' practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste, and participate in environmentally preferred purchasing.

"This accreditation is the mark of environmental responsibility of hoteliers who are committed to "green" business practices that make environmental and economic goals their top priority," said DLEG Director Keith W. Cooley. "GLM is helping to ensure the viability of our lodging facilities and the thousands of related hospitality jobs that stay in Michigan.

Crystal Mountain's commitment to preserving Michigan's environment is exemplary; becoming "greener" serves as a true model for the hospitality industry to follow." Crystal Mountain implemented additional environmental initiatives that earned the resort higher accreditation such as installing carbon monoxide detectors, expanding their recycling program, adjusting purchasing standards on paper products to 30 percent or greater post-consumer recycled content, and limiting vehicle idling for all facility vehicles to reduce emissions and conserve fuel. The resort joined Energy Star's, Change a Light, Change the World campaign as a pledge driver to encourage use of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Last fall, Crystal Mountain received the White Pine Award from the Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club which recognizes a non-member who has shown a strong commitment to the environment.

"Serving as good stewards of the environment is one of our most important responsibilities and we are grateful for Green Lodging Michigan's support," said Jim MacInnes, president and general manager of Crystal Mountain. "We are honored to receive Leader certification and we hope that others will join the effort to conserve our natural resources and maintain Michigan's beautiful landscape."

GLM is a joint effort between DLEG and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to encourage the lodging industry to conserve and protect the state's natural resources while increasing marketability and lowering utility costs.

"GLM has been an effective way of including hoteliers in the effort to help Michigan continue as the leader in environmental beauty and abundant natural resources," said Steven E. Chester, director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

GLM is a voluntary and non-regulatory certification program offered through the Michigan Energy Office in DLEG to hoteliers at no charge. The Michigan Energy Office and the DEQ provide technical assistance to those who are interested in implementing "green" strategies and earning certification. The GLM program certifies facilities based on environmental initiatives such as air quality, energy efficiency, solid waste reduction, toxic waste management, water conservation, purchasing and communication. There are three levels of certification: Partner, Steward, and Leader, which can be earned by completing a self-assessment checklist and achieving a minimum number of requirements and points.

The Michigan Energy Office promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy resource development to Michigan's residents, businesses, and public institutions. For more information about the Green Lodging Michigan program and to download the GLM application packet and self-assessment checklist, visit the website at www.michigan.gov/greenlodging.

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