Peppermill Resort Spa

The capital costs and the environmental impact of operating a large resort hotel almost always coincide. Heating, laundry, lighting, landscaping — they all have an impact on both a resort’s bottom line and the natural environment.

Hotels have the opportunity to save money and save the environment at the same time, but launching conservation project that significantly reduce a hotel’s environmental footprint and operating budget takes strategy, some innovative thinking and a commitment to capitalize conservation efforts.

Here are five ways The Peppermill Resort, Spa, Casino saves millions of dollars each year while conserving water and energy and reducing a resort’s overall environmental footprint.

Geothermal Heating
The Peppermill made a huge bet on geothermal energy in 2011, sinking almost $10 million into a project that would heat the entire 2-million-square-foot resort hotel property, including The Peppermill’s swimming pools and hot tubs.

Today, that bet is paying off big time. The resort’s annual $2.2 million natural gas bills are gone, and the hotel’s boilers sit idle. All the heat is now piped in from a reservoir of 174-degree water more than 4,000 feet beneath The Peppermill’s parking lot.
Not all resort properties are located on top of productive geothermal reservoirs, but many hotels have sustainable heating or energy options available to them. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are all worth exploring, especially as heating and energy prices rise.

Astroturf
The Peppermill recently removed over 30,000-square-feet of lawn and replaced it with astroturf, conserving over 5.1 million gallons of water each year, and decreasing fertilizer and pesticide use. The Peppermill, like many resort hotels in the West, is located in a dry and hot summer climate where maintaining landscaping requires large amounts of water and consistent care. The astroturf brings some green to the resort’s common areas, without using large amounts of water. Many of our guests never know that the immaculate lawn they are looking at is actually not alive at all.

Laundry Water Recycling
One of The Peppermill’s wisest conservation investments was the purchase of an $180,000 laundry water recycling system that allows 83 percent of the water used in the resort’s seven-stage washing machine to be reclaimed and re-used. The system paid for itself in seven months, and continues to save the resort an average of $220,000 per year in reduced water bills.

LED Lighting
The Peppermill recently pulled out 406 1,000-watt halide parking lot lights and replaced them with new, energy-efficient LED lighting that uses as much as 90 percent less energy than the old lights. The project was a substantial investment, totaling approximately $315,000. But the energy savings is equally impressive. The Peppermill expects to pay back that capital investment with lower electricity bills in less than two years, after which the resort will continue to reap energy savings for years to come. The LED lighting conversion was financed in part by NV Energy’s Sure Bet Incentive program, which contributed a $92,000 rebate toward the project.

Paperless HR
The Peppermill went virtually paperless in its human resources and administration departments, converting all documents to digital processes. The conversion required an investment in new software systems, but is paying off in a large reduction in paper use and savings in printer paper and office supplies.

Going green is an investment, but hotels can benefit in many ways. Conservation program save money, conserve resources, and often encourage hotel and lodging executives to look at their business in more analytical ways. Paperless systems might be put in place to increase conservation, but they also encourage efficiency. Energy saving programs reduce electricity bills, but also give ownership and management an opportunity to evaluate and analyze business practices.

The Peppermill continues to evaluate all of its operations, seeking new ways to reduce the hotel’s environmental impact and operating costs as new technologies and new opportunities continue to arise.

~ Dean Parker is the Executive Director of The Peppermill Resort, Spa, Casino in Reno, Nevada. The resort is a gold level member of TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders program.

RENO —The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino was named the top ranked hotel in North America by national travel website, Expedia.
Expedia tracked customer feedback from 632 “Elite Program” hotels in North America in the first quar-ter of 2014 and the Peppermill came in at No. 1, beating out luxury hotels in Las Vegas, New York, Chi-cago and Florida.

“This is a tremendous honor and we’re very excited about it,” said David Fuller, Director of Hotel Operations at Peppermill. “The award speaks to the amount of time, effort and resources we put into giving our guests the best accommodations, service and amenities that they deserve. We could not have done this without the hard work of all Peppermill employees. It’s a great team win.”

The Expedia Elite Program is a group of experienced travelers who stay at hotels throughout the world and demand the finest accommodations. Expedia values their opinions and shares them with all their users because, like the Peppermill, Expedia wants to give their customers the best hotel and vacation experiences when they travel.

The Peppermill has a solid ranking on the website, with users enjoying the spa, fine dining, gaming, nightlife and luxury amenities.

Who: Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
What: Was named the Best Hotel in North America by Expedia, an award based on customer satisfaction surveys by its elite users.
When: March 21, 2014
More info: For interviews with the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino about this honor, please contact Liz Bowling of the Abbi Agency. To contact Expedia, email expedia@hlgrp.com.

Press Contact: Liz Bowling
The Abbi Agency for Peppermill Reno
(303) 726-7104
liz@theabbiagency.com

Reno, NV (April 8, 2014) – The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada has earned the prestigious AAA Four Diamond rating for hospitality industry excellence for the fifth consecutive year. The rating, which is assigned by the Automobile Club of America, is awarded to hotels featuring upscale accommodations as well as an extensive array of amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail. “We are extremely honored to be part of an elite group of hotel properties to receive AAA’s Four Diamond status,” said Bill Paganetti, President of Peppermill Inc. “The passion, pride and dedication of our staff has made this achievement possible. This is their shining moment.”

The Peppermill opened in 1971 as a simple coffee shop and lounge. Forty years later, the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino has become a Reno landmark, sprawling more than two million square feet, featuring 1,635 luxurious rooms and suites, two resort pools, 9 award-winning restaurants, 16 themed bars and lounges including EDGE nightspot and Terrace Lounge, free nightly entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge, 24/7 gaming action, headliner entertainment, as well as the 43,000 square foot Spa & Salon Toscana and fitness center featuring the nation’s only Caldarium with indoor pool, sun deck and Secret Garden.

For several years the Peppermill has been mindful to minimize the impact of operations on the envi-ronment while maintaining a premier level of service and experience for guests. Harnessed from a geothermal well on the Peppermill’s property, the Resort uses geothermal energy to heat both space and domestic water for the entire Resort. Paganetti stated, “Our expansions, enhancements and energy conservation efforts have culminated to bring guests a redefined resort experience, one we feel privileged to offer and uphold both today and for years to come.”

“We are honored to share this award with the community and our guests – past, present and future. We are committed to offering an exemplary balance of unparalleled service, luxury and value repre-sentative of the AAA Four Diamond rating,” said Paganetti.

AAA Four Diamond properties represent just 3.9 percent of the 59,000 AAA/CAA approved and Diamond rated properties. More than 52 million members of AAA rely on the diamond rating to assist them when traveling.

Press Contact: Liz Bowling
The Abbi Agency for Peppermill Reno
(303) 726-7104
liz@theabbiagency.com

July 2011 (Reno, NV) –The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino continues its commitment to improving the comfort, convenience and quality of its guest experience by implementing the All in One self service kiosk technology this summer. This technology will allow guests to perform a range of functions quickly and conveniently including check-in and check-out for hotel accommodations and printing of airline boarding passes as well as pre-registered online check-in.

The Intranet driven technology will also layer with SMS to offer such capabilities as guest-preferred text, email or voicemail notifications of room availability with eventual expansion to include smart services such as customized maps and tailored incentives and offers related to resort activities.
A total of 6 easily accessible kiosks will be installed at both the main hotel desk and the Peppermill’s new Tuscany Tower check-in desk. Says Pat Flynn, Director of Sales and Hotel Operations, “Whether our guests are visiting for business or pleasure, we want their experience to exceed expectations from beginning to end. The kiosk technology is a remarkable tool that will assist us in fulfilling that commitment.”

The Peppermill opened in 1971 as a simple coffee shop and lounge. Forty years later, the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino has become a Reno landmark, sprawling more than two million square feet, featuring 1,635 luxurious rooms and suites, two resort pools, 9 award-winning restaurants, 16 themed bars and lounges including EDGE nightspot and Terrace Lounge, free nightly entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge, 24/7 gaming action, headliner entertainment, as well as the 43,000 square foot Spa & Salon Toscana and fitness center featuring the nation’s only Caldarium with indoor pool, sun deck and Secret Garden.

For more information, please visit the Peppermill online at www.peppermillreno.com.

Contact: Julia Jeffers-Peaua
775-689-7114
jjeffers@peppermillreno.com

August 23, 2011 (Reno, NV) – The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino is pleased to offer online check-in for our guests. No waiting in line when you arrive; use online check-in and simply pick up your room keys at our Express Check-In Kiosk. Use your computer to conveniently check in up to one day prior to your arrival. It’s that easy!

The Peppermill opened in 1971 as a simple coffee shop and lounge. Forty years later, the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino has become a Reno landmark, sprawling more than two million square feet, featuring 1,635 luxurious rooms and suites, two resort pools, 9 award-winning restaurants, 16 themed bars and lounges including EDGE nightspot and Terrace Lounge, free nightly entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge, 24/7 gaming action, headliner entertainment, as well as the 43,000 square foot Spa & Salon Toscana and fitness center featuring the nation’s only Caldarium with indoor pool, sun deck and Secret Garden.

For more information, please visit the Peppermill online at www.peppermillreno.com.

Contact: Julia Jeffers-Peaua
775-689-7114
jjeffers@peppermillreno.com

June 21, 2011 (Reno, NV) –The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada has earned the prestigious AAA Four Diamond rating for hospitality industry excellence. The rating, which is assigned by the Automobile Club of America, is awarded to hotels featuring upscale accommodations as well as an extensive array of amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail. “We are extremely honored to be part of an elite group of hotel properties to receive AAA’s Four Diamond status,” said Bill Paganetti, President of Peppermill Inc. “The passion, pride and dedication of our staff has made this achievement possible. This is their shining moment.”

The Peppermill opened in 1971 as a simple coffee shop and lounge. Forty years later, the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino has become a Reno landmark, sprawling more than two million square feet, featuring 1,635 luxurious rooms and suites, two resort pools, 9 award-winning restaurants, 16 themed bars and lounges including EDGE nightspot and Terrace Lounge, free nightly entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge, 24/7 gaming action, headliner entertainment, as well as the 43,000 square foot Spa & Salon Toscana and fitness center featuring the nation’s only Caldarium with indoor pool, sun deck and Secret Garden.

For several years the Peppermill has been mindful to minimize the impact of operations on the environment while maintaining a premier level of service and experience for guests. Harnessed from a geothermal well on the Peppermill’s property, the Resort uses geothermal energy to heat both space and domestic water for the entire Resort. Paganetti stated, “Our expansions, enhancements and energy conservation efforts have culminated to bring guests a redefined resort experience, one we feel privileged to offer and uphold both today and for years to come.”

“We are honored to share this award with the community and our guests – past, present and future. We are committed to offering an exemplary balance of unparalleled service, luxury and value representative of the AAA Four Diamond rating,” said Paganetti. AAA Four Diamond properties represent just 3.6 percent of the 32,000 AAA/CAA approved and Diamond rated properties. More than 52 million members of AAA rely on the diamond rating to assist them when traveling.

Contact: Julia Jeffers-Peaua
775-689-7114
jjeffers@peppermillreno.com

March 2012 (Reno, NV) –With a total of 106,000 square feet of flexible, high-tech meeting space, including 62,000 square feet of clear-span space and capacity for 340 exhibit booths or 3,400 for dinner, Reno’s Peppermill Resort Spa Casino can accommodate events from an exclusive board meeting or private affair for a dozen, to a convention or trade show for thousands – and everything in between.

A quick look at the resort reveals 1,635 luxurious rooms and suites, two pools, 9 award-winning restaurants, 16 themed bars and lounges including EDGE nightspot and Terrace Lounge, free nightly entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge, 24/7 gaming action, headliner entertainment as well as the 43,000 square foot Spa & Salon Toscana and fitness center featuring the nation’s only Caldarium with indoor pool, sun deck and Secret Garden.

Attention to detail is evident throughout the property. The completion of a $400 million expansion, which included the all-suite Tuscany Tower and Tuscany Events Center, inspired additional capital improvements at the resort. “Our ownership continues to show confidence in the Reno market by reinvesting in capital improvement projects at our property,” stated Bill Hughes, Director of Marketing Operations. “We are constantly striving to provide an exceptional product with great guest service.”

The resort recently completed a $15.8 million redesign of its Peppermill Tower, including a remake of all 395 hotel rooms in the tower as well as meeting spaces and the addition of a spectacular $2.3 million high-tech executive boardroom. “The upgrade of the property did not end with the expansion. The Tuscany development set a bar- our ballrooms and meeting rooms have all been raised to that standard,” said Pat Flynn, Executive Director of Hotel and Sales.

The stunning 17th floor, 4,000-square-foot, 2-story boardroom must be seen to be believed. Custom Walnut inlaid panels line the walls and ceiling. Imported red travertine, Italian marble and leather marry comfort and style. Hand-painted artwork, elegant lighting and luxurious amenities fill the room to create the perfect mix of style and function.

At the board table, meeting attendees will find 26 personalized workstations providing handmade ergonomic leather chairs, writing blotters and integrated one-touch lighting controls. An additional 20 handmade chairs allow a capacity of 46 with a traditional furniture grouping perfect for more casual conversation or an offline conference. Conferences and presentations are broadcast on six 65-inch strategically placed flat screens and accompanied by a state-of-the-art digital sound system with 7.1 surround sound. For convenience, the room’s lighting, window coverings and temperature are all controlled through a remote wireless iPad touch screen. A turn-key business center, elegantly appointed restroom and banquet service station complete the upstairs suite. Down the spiral staircase, you will find yourself in the richly appointed function area, fully integrated with sound and a 65 inch high-definition LCD screen that can connect with the displays upstairs. A full-service banquet station, bar and elegant seating in the round set an elegant stage for cocktail or luncheon receptions and executive dinners.

Flynn believes in providing meeting planners with a personal experience at the property and leads a skilled and dedicated sales team who shares his vision. “We want you to see firsthand all we have to offer,” he said. “Come get to know us through one of our FAM trips, choose a more personal site visit with a member of our expert sales team, or if you’re short on time, take a tour using our Virtual eSite Inspection capability.”

Accommodations at the Peppermill harmonize contemporary amenities and conveniences with plush surroundings designed for comfort. Custom-made, double pillow-top mattresses, 42 inch high-definition LCD TVs and media hubs are featured in the well-appointed rooms. “We provide an outstanding product,” Hughes said. “Our rooms, restaurants, entertainment, meeting space…all are on a par with the very best hotel casinos in Las Vegas.”

In a move to benefit the property and the community, the Peppermill chose to invest nearly $10 million to convert the entire property to geothermal energy, a major project completed in 2010. “We are very mindful of energy conservation and the pressing need to go green,” Hughes said. “With this new geothermal system, we can heat our whole property and all the domestic water sources — from the water in the rooms to the pools and spa — with geothermal energy.” Harnessed from a geothermal well on the Peppermill property, the renewable energy results in a dramatic decrease in the site’s dependence on fossil fuels.

The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino specializes in pairing impeccable service and quality with ideal meeting venues and accommodations. The resort promises a state-of-the-art facility with luxury amenities at a reasonable price. As explained by Flynn, “There is no better value for a group than the Reno market. And in Reno, there is no better value than the Peppermill.”

Contact: Julia Jeffers
775-689-7114
jjeffers@peppermillreno.com

September 2011 (Reno, NV) – Being part of the unique high desert canvas of Reno-Tahoe has inspired the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino to adopt sweeping green initiatives to dramatically reduce the Resort’s carbon footprint. For several years the Resort has been mindful to minimize the impact of operations on the environment while maintaining a premiere level of service and experience for guests. The Resort has used geothermal energy to heat the domestic hot water for the Tuscany Tower, including the 43,000 square foot Spa Toscana and Fitness Center as well as the two outdoor swimming pools and spas, since the 2007 expansion project. With the culmination of a $9.7 million investment, the entire Resort is now on-line to heat both space and domestic water with geothermal energy.

As the demand to conserve increased, the Peppermill continued to investigate new and innovative ways to save precious resources. Peppermill President, Bill Paganetti, engaged world-renowned geothermal expert, Dr. Jim Combs of Geo Hills Associates LLC of Reno, to consult on the existing historical data and information from earlier projects. Because the Peppermill already had a reinjection well on the property, Dr. Combs recommended a new geothermal well be drilled on the property.

It was a gamble. Drill a well tapping in to the geothermal aquifer, betting on finding water at the correct temperature that could be captured and converted to energy through a closed loop system then returned to the earth via a reinjection well, which would heat the entire Resort’s water and mechanical heat via geothermal energy.

With no guarantees and just a steadfast commitment, the Peppermill successfully hit proverbial pay dirt at over 4,400 feet deep, becoming geothermal energy innovators and making local history with a well of this magnitude. “No one else has a geothermal well of this depth in the city of Reno” said Dean Parker, Executive Facilities Director at the Peppermill. “In order for a well to produce the level of geothermal energy that could accomplish what we set out to do, we had to find water at 170 degrees that can pump 1,500 gallons per minute at 150 psi. With this well, we found that and more.”

The Peppermill is able to harness geothermal energy which now heats 100% of the Resort’s domestic water and mechanical heat throughout the 2.1 Million square foot facility, 24/7, effectively replacing the natural gas boilers that currently heat the facility. This renewable energy will help the Peppermill reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and save the company millions of dollars in natural gas use.

According to Dr. Combs, “The green energy heating addition to the HVAC system at the Peppermill will now make it the only resort in the United States whose heating source is totally provided from geothermal energy produced on the immediate property.”

The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino features 1,635 luxurious rooms and suites, two Tuscan-inspired pools, 9 award-winning restaurants, 16 themed bars and lounges including EDGE nightspot and Terrace Lounge, free nightly entertainment in the Casino Cabaret, 24/7 gaming action, headliner entertainment as well as the 43,000 square foot Spa & Salon Toscana and Fitness Center featuring northern Nevada’s only Caldarium with indoor pool, sun deck and Secret Garden.

Contact: Julia Jeffers
775-689-7114
jjeffers@peppermillreno.com

With a total of 106,000 square feet of flexible, high-tech meeting space including a brand new executive boardroom, 62,000 square feet of clear span space and capacity for 380 exhibit booths, Reno's Peppermill Resort Spa Casino can accommodate events from an for a dozen to a convention or trade show for thousands - and everything in between.

Whether you use it for an in-person gathering of your top executives or as a video-conferencing command center to engage partners all over the world, our stunning new 17the floor 4,000 square foot 2-story boardroom must be seen to be believed. Custom Walnut inlaid panels line the walls and ceiling. Imported textiles including Red Travertine, Italian marble and leather surround you with comfort and style. Hand-painted artwork, elegant lighting and luxurious amenities fill the room to create the perfect mix of style and function.

At the board table, meeting attendees will find 26 personalized workstations providing hand-made ergonomic leather chairs, writing blotters and integrated one-touch lighting controls. An additional 20 handmade chairs allow a capacity of 46 with an additional traditional furniture grouping perfect for more casual conversation or an offline conference. Integrated Altenix pop-up data ports facilitate network connections, laptop AC power and built in video distribution. Conferences and presentations are broadcast on six 65-inch strategically placed flat screens, along with a 160-inch digital cinema grade screen viewable from an 8,000 lumen DLP HD Video projector and accompanied by a state of the art digital sound system with 7.1 surround sound. The Immersive Video Teleconference system allows streaming capability to a 1,000-person webinar and up to a 5-connection bi-directional HD Video Teleconference. For convenience, the room's lighting, window coverings and temperature, are all controlled through a remote wireless iPad touch screen. A turn-key business center, elegantly appointed restroom and banquet service station complete the upstairs suite. Down the spiral staircase you will find yourself in the richly appointed function area. This room is fully integrated with sound and a 65" hi-definition LCD screen that can connect with the displays upstairs. A full-service banquet station, bar and elegant seating in the round set an elegant stage for cocktail or luncheon receptions and executive dinners.

A quick look at the resort reveals 1,635 luxurious rooms and suites, two Tuscan-inspired resort pools, 10 award-winning restaurants, 16 themed bars and lounges including EDGE Nightspot and Terrace Lounge, free nightly entertainment in the Casino Cabaret, 24/7 gaming action, world class entertainment as well as the 43,000 square foot Spa & Salon Toscana and Fitness Center featuring northern Nevada's only Caldarium with indoor pool, sun deck and Secret Garden.

The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino specializes in pairing ideal meeting venues with impeccable service and quality. The resort promises a state of the art facility with luxury amenities at a reasonable price. As explained by Executive Director of Hotel and Sales, Pat Flynn, "There is no better value for a group than the Reno market. And in Reno, there is no better value than the Peppermill."

eSite Inspection Lets Planners Experience Northern Nevada's Premier Resort Spa Casino From their Laptops.

RENO, NEVADA. (PRWEB )- Peppermill Reno and Virtual Visit Presentations have created a free, online tool to help planners create remarkable events - and it helps save time, money and the environment along the way.

Now a busy meeting planner can experience Reno's must-see resort casino from anywhere in the world. Visitors can inspect the entire Peppermill property in a fraction of the time of a live site visit at [url]www.visitpeppermill.com[/url] - and without the costly travel. Quick, solo eSite Inspections are available 24-7, or a remote, real-time sales rep guided "walk-through" can be viewed on a computer screen while speaking on the phone with Peppermill staff.

Peppermill Reno's eSite Inspection features:

Easy room-to-room navigation
Interactive floor maps, plus local area maps
Click and View Meeting room capacities and set-up options
Offline use for custom presentations, trade shows, direct mail CD-ROM, USB, podcasts, etc.

Designed to intrigue meeting planners with elegant settings and an incredible array of amenities (including 10 award-winning restaurants!), the eSite Inspection is also greener. Fewer site inspections reduce mileage and Virtual Visit also runs a carbon offset operation. That appeals to the pioneering Peppermill Reno - one of the first resorts of its size to be heated entirely by geothermal energy.

"Our recent $400 million expansion makes us the complete package for meetings of any size." says Patrick Flynn, Peppermill Reno's Executive Director of Hotel and Sales. "If you see it, you will believe it. So we make that easy for qualified meeting planners with our popular onsite FAM visits and now, the eSite Inspections too."

To arrange a guided on-line tour using the eSite Inspection, please contact Patrick Flynn at [email]pflynn@peppermillreno.com[/email] or call 775-689-7144. To take a solo virtual visit now go to [url]www.visitpeppermill.com[/url].


The Peppermill features 10 award-winning restaurants, 17 themed bars and lounges and nightly entertainment, 106,000 sq. feet of meeting space, two resort pools and three spas, and over 100,000 sq. foot gaming floor. The $400 Million Tuscan expansion includes the 600 all-suite Tuscany Tower for a total of 1,635 rooms, Reno's hottest nightspot, EDGE, Biscotti's restaurant, Terrace Lounge, Bimini Steakhouse and the 43,000 sq. foot Spa & Salon Toscana and fitness center.


Call the Peppermill Reno Hotel Casino toll free 1-866-821-9996.

Virtual Visit Presentation Inc. products are used by hotels, resorts, destination marketing organizations and convention centers. To learn more how Virtual Visit enhances sales efforts online, over the phone, at tradeshows and more, please visit [url]www.virtualvisit.ca[/url]

http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/peppermill/

"Going Green" is a phrase that has become a part of our every day vernacular, and for good reason. Now and in the years ahead, it is critical that our country seek out and harvest new and better fuel alternatives. The prospect isn't cheap nor is it easy.

As we continue to hear about economic woes and dismal predictions for recovery, the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada has staked its claim in the here and now, and that claim is better than striking oil - it's striking clean, reliable, renewable geothermal energy.

Along the way, the Peppermill has been quietly mindful of energy conservation - working to harness natural sources of energy, but their latest commitment to harvesting geothermal energy peaks the investment at $8.1 Million dollars. Like the industry they represent, the privately held resort took a gamble - drill a well that taps into the geothermal aquifer, betting on finding water at the correct temperature that could be captured and converted to energy through a closed loop system then returned to the earth via a reinjection well, which would heat the entire resort's water and mechanical heat via geothermal energy.

Peppermill President, Bill Paganetti, engaged world-renowned geothermal expert, Dr. Jim Combs of Geo Hills Associates LLC of Reno, to consult on the existing historical data and information from earlier projects. Because the Peppermill already had a reinjection well on the property, Dr. Combs recommended a new geothermal well be drilled on the property. And the gamble paid off.

With no guarantees and just a steadfast commitment, the Peppermill has successfully hit proverbial pay dirt at over 4,400 feet, becoming geothermal energy innovators and making local history with a well of this magnitude. "No one else has a geothermal well of this depth in the city of Reno." said Dean Parker, Facilities Director at the Peppermill. "In order for a well to produce the level of geothermal energy that could accomplish what we've set out to do, we need to find water at 170 degrees that can pump 800 gallons per minute at 80-90 psi. With this well, we found that and more."


The 'and more' translates into enabling the Peppermill to harness geothermal energy that will heat 100% of the resort's water and mechanical heat - 2.1 Million square feet, 24/7. If that isn't enough, the projected January, 2010 target date for this project to be up and running is just as ambitious. According to Dr. Combs, "The green energy heating addition to the HVAC system at the Peppermill will now make it the only hotel in the United States whose heating source is totally provided from geothermal energy produced on their own immediate property."

But the Peppermill doesn't intend to stop there. As Alan Bailey, Geologist and Drilling Engineer with Geothermal Resource Group, Inc. says, "The Peppermill's commitment to geothermal energy has been clearly demonstrated with the completion of Peppermill 8. They have also shown that they have long-term goals for further sustainable development.the advanced geophysical borehole logging will dramatically enhance future drilling operations."

Peppermill's newest geothermal endeavor will be showcased at the upcoming Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting and Geothermal Energy Expo, to be held at the Peppermill October 4-7. The expected 2,000 participants from the worldwide geothermal industry will have an on-site opportunity to view the project and hear details of this success story, furthering the adage that Peppermill's prospects are looking greener every day.

http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/peppermill/