The state environmental agencies in the Northeast are working with EPA and each other on the development of compliance and pollution prevention assistance strategies and tools for lodging facilities and restaurants. These facilities can have a number of environmental impacts, including energy consumption, water consumption, wastewater discharges, stormwater runoff, solid waste generation, and others.

In 2008, NEWMOA formed a regional Hospitality Workgroup to enhance the ability of the state and local agencies to implement effective environmental assistance programs for the hospitality industry. The Workgroup holds quarterly conference calls focusing on sharing information on plans underway in each state and how these can be coordinated with EPA's efforts and each other. NEWMOA also sponsors a listserv to facilitate electronic information sharing.

This project is funded by EPA Region 1-New England.

For more information, contact Rachel Smith at rsmith@newmoa.org.