Gorges Grant Hotel, Certified Environmental Leader in Ogunquit

Beautiful Ogunquit’s Gorges Grant Hotel is one of the growing number of Maine Environmental Leaders, now 95 certified lodging businesses, recognized for their leadership in voluntarily implementing more sustainable environmental and energy related business practices. These practices and their continuous improvement efforts not only help their business conserve energy use and save money, but also make their lodging experience and services more comfortable and attractive. Gorges Grant also reaches out to other Ogunquit businesses to share their experiences and help them attain similar results. The hotel has received an outstanding Ogunquit Business Recycling award from the Town of Ogunquit, and a 2008 excellence award from ecomaine, recognizing their leadership and dedication to the community. Gorges Grant is making their lodging experience a greener way to enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches and other coastal experiences in Maine.

Gorges Grant’s green business practices and energy saving activities include:

Installing a more energy efficient heating and air conditioning system;
Upgrading to a more energy efficient laundry system utilizing ozone and cold water in place of heating wash water. This recently installed system conserves propane use by eliminating the need for heating wash water;
Using a less expensive and more green on-site process to make pool cleaning chemical, in place of purchasing commercially-made chlorine chemical;
Conducting a vigorous incentivized recycling program for materials left in guest rooms where money from recovered materials are used for staff functions;
Converting all fixtures to compact fluorescent lighting;
Conserving landscaping water use by installing water savers on their sprinkler system. These devices carefully control water application in accordance with prescribed humidity and soil water level measurements;
Attending local Conservation Committee meetings as participants and speakers to help other businesses attain similar results.

Craig Cain, General Manager at Gorges Grant, says, “We are thrilled to have achieved certification as an Environmental Leader in the hospitality sector from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. We continue to improve upon the successes we have achieved, and to look for ways to maintain operating efficiencies that contribute to the future well being of the environment.”

For more information about participation in the Maine Environmental Leader programs, visit our web site or contact the Office of Innovation and Assistance at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection at 1-800-789-9802.