Maine Adventure Resort Earns Environmental Certification

New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) has earned certification through Maine’s  Environmental Leader program, a voluntary program that assists selected business sectors, including hospitality, with green performance standards. The program is designed and managed by the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Innovation and Assistance.
 
“This certification is very important to us as a resort. It recognizes our efforts to continue to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the land around us,” said Scott Lee, general manager of NEOC.

To earn the certification, NEOC staff evaluated their collective efforts and tracked them in a workbook. Points are awarded for various environmental practices, such as using phosphate-free detergents, recycling waste materials and use of energy-efficient lighting, heating and water systems. Businesses scoring over 100 points earn certification. NEOC earned 125 points in the category for lodging businesses with over 12 rooms.  Highlights of their efforts included new energy-efficient heating and domestic hot water systems, use of compact fluorescent bulbs, recycling waste and installation of low-flow showerheads in guest rooms.
 
The resort will be evaluated each year and must attain an increasing number of points in subsequent years to be re-certified by the state Environmental Leader program. Earlier this year, NEOC opened the new Coveside guesthouses, built to LEED-standards. These facilities were designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s gold-level for green building. Certification for these efforts from the LEED program is expected to be completed by the summer season.
 
New England Outdoor Center is a four-season resort located near Baxter State Park in northern Maine, with a full range of activities and lodging options for individuals, families and organizations. (www.neoc.com)