Xanterra Parks & Resorts Named �2006
Performance Track Corporate Leader
DENVER, May 12, 2006 � Xanterra Parks & Resorts, operator of concessions
in national and state parks and resorts across the country, has been selected
by the Environmental Protection Agency as the �2006 Performance Track Corporate
Leader.� Xanterra was the only company to receive the recognition this
year and is only the fourth company to receive the designation since its
creation in 2004.
The EPA�s Performance Track program recognizes top environmental performers
that voluntarily go beyond compliance with environmental regulations and
publicly commit to specific environmental improvements over a three-year
period. Xanterra�s operations at Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand
Canyon (both the North and South Rims) National Parks as well as Mount
Rushmore National Memorial are members of the prestigious program.
According to the EPA, the Corporate Leader designation is �a way to
recognize companies that are substantially committed to Performance Track
and exhibit policies and behavior at a corporate level that are associated
with environmental excellence. The Corporate Leader designation enhances
Performance Track by providing EPA with additional opportunities to work
more effectively with corporate leaders in improving environmental performance
beyond regulatory requirements. It recognizes and promotes corporate activities
not often or fully integrated at the facility level, such as improving
the environmental performance of a company's suppliers and/or customers.�
To be eligible for the designation, a company must have at least five
facilities that are each a member of Performance Track and have at least
25 percent of its U.S. operations (based on number and type of facilities,
or employees), or 25 facilities, in Performance Track and/or similar state
performance-based programs. Many of the 450 companies in the EPA�s Performance
Track Program are Fortune 500 companies. Previous designees are global
medical products and services company Baxter Healthcare Corp., global manufacturer
of health care products Johnson & Johnson and global provider of aviation
electronic and communication solutions Rockwell Collins.
�We are honored by this designation because it is a reflection of the
commitment to environmental sustainability by our employees throughout
the company,� said Andrew N. Todd, president and CEO of Xanterra. �Environmental
awareness and proactive programs are pervasive among our operations.�
Members of the EPA Performance Track Program receive a range of incentives
such as public recognition and low inspection priority. Members are also
eligible for several kinds of administrative flexibility and streamlined
administrative requirements that reduce costs and enable members to achieve
better environmental results.
The company has become recognized as an environmental leader in the
hospitality industry by being:
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The first hospitality company and the eighth company worldwide to commit
to an absolute reduction target in greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions
through a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund and the Center for Energy
& Climate Solutions.
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The first national park hospitality company to receive certification from
the U.S. Green Building Council�s Leadership in Energy & Environmental
Design (LEED) program for development at Yellowstone.
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The first national park hospitality company to publish a Sustainability
Report, and the only tourism company to have the data in that report third-party
certified as accurate.
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Among the first U.S. hospitality companies to receive the prestigious ISO
14001 International Environmental Management System Standard Certification
for all of its national park operations.
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The first U.S. hospitality company to be granted the �Chain of Custody�
certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to ensure sales
of sustainably fished wild salmon.
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The first U.S. hospitality company to ban certain types of fish species
deemed harmful to the environment because of harvesting practices or low
species populations.
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One of only a few hospitality companies to use renewable wind energy to
power a portion of electricity demands (at five national park locations).
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The first, and possibly the only, U.S. hospitality company to track, normalize
and report all natural resource usage and waste generation at all locations
through a computerized tracking system.
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The first park hospitality company to set and publicly disclose long-range
environmental sustainability goals.
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One of only a few hospitality companies to use large-scale renewable solar
photovoltaic systems to power portions of electricity demands.
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The first park hospitality company to develop an internal CAFÉ standard
for fleet vehicles.
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One of the few national park concessioners in the country to achieve Clean
Marina Certification.
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One of only a few hospitality companies to be recognized as a top environmental
performer by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through its National
Environmental Performance Track Program.
Xanterra has created a series of long-term goals � called its �2015 Environmental
Vision.� These ambitious goals include:
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Decrease fossil fuel usage by 30 percent (baseline year 2000).
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Increase usage of renewable energy to provide seven percent of total electricity
consumed.
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Decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent (baseline year 2000).
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Divert from landfill 50 percent of all solid waste generated.
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Increase purchases of sustainable food items to 50 percent of all companywide
food expenditures.
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Achieve companywide CAFÉ (corporate average fuel economy) standard
of 35 miles per gallon (EPA rated combined city and highway) for all passenger
vehicles (under 10 persons) purchased annually.
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Generate zero hazardous waste.
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Decrease water usage by 25 percent (baseline year 2003).
Xanterra Parks & Resorts (consisting of Xanterra Parks & Resorts,
Inc. and Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C.) operates lodges, restaurants and other
concessions at national parks and state parks and resorts.
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