Although there are currently only two hotels in the country certified under the Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEED), several new construction projects are seeking the certification as more and more hotels realize there is value in going green. The hotel industry is finding that environmentally friendly practices draw consumers and save owners and operators money. At Chelsea's Greenhouse 26, for example, which is set to open next year, the elevator will capture energy generated when it stops, and heating and cooling will be conducted via an energy-saving geothermal system.
