The Red, White, and Green

Photo via Flickr: Ugg Boy

Planning a trip this summer? You don’t have to go camping or splurge on a fancy eco resort to travel green: The Environmental Protection Agency has just released a helpful online database that allows you to search for hotels that have earned the Energy Star rating. Energy Star–labeled hotels perform in the top 25 percent of hotels nationwide, and use at least 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less greenhouse gases than other hotels.

I know — who would have thunk that the EPA would be doling out travel advice? But it makes sense to encourage Americans to support hotels that help reduce our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels — especially in light of the BP oil disaster.

And curbing energy consumption in the US hotel industry could have a tremendous impact: Reducing energy use by just 10 percent overall could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6 million tons a year.

A search of Energy Star–certified hotels in my area (Los Angeles) revealed only two chains by the airport and a Comfort Inn that’s not even in LA proper (not exactly suitable lodgings for out-of-town family), but hey — it’s a start.

In the meantime, if  you can’t find a green hotel option for your vacation destination, at least stick to a few energy-saving tips while you’re lounging about in your spa robe and slippers: Turn off the lights and adjust the thermostat when leaving your hotel room, open the curtains to take advantage of daylight, and reuse your towels in lieu of requesting fresh ones.

Already have a vacation spot in mind? Click here to search for an Energy Star hotel.

–Jennifer Grayson

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