By Rachel Lippmann, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Hotels in Missouri are now able to get a green stamp of approval from the state's Department of Natural Resources.
The Certified Green program launched on New Year's Day. The DNR will give hotels points for doing things like reducing water usage or increasing energy efficiency.
Missouri Hotel and Lodging Association executive director Ramona Mormonn says hotels will benefit because many of the changes will reduce operating costs.
"And there's a lot of companies, a lot of major companies that re saying their employees are only going to be allowed to stay at hotels that are using green practices," Mormann said, adding that the Association hopes the state of Missouri does something similar.
Mormann isn't sure how many of the state's 1800 lodgings could meet the new standards without changing their practices.