Evelyn Hill Inc.

New York, New York

Evelyn Hill logoEvelyn Hill, Inc. is making the Statue of Liberty a symbol of energy efficiency and security as well as of American freedom. You might say that Lady Liberty is "turning green within" to match her famous copper-patina surface, and the 2.7 million visitors who tour the National Park each year are learning about energy efficiency as well.

For more than 77 years, Evelyn Hill, Inc. has been providing visitor services at the Statue of Liberty in New York City under contract to the National Park Service. The on-site retail, food and beverage concessions are operated by Evelyn Hill, Inc., a family-owned business now under third-generation leadership. When Bradford Hill assumed leadership in 1996, he began to focus on the environment as critically important to the business ethic and management philosophy of the company. Hill's personal commitment to do the right thing for the environment led to the energy conservation initiatives and operational changes that have been made since 2005. These include:

  • Eliminate all incandescent lamps, most replaced with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).
  • Replace all fluorescent lamps with high-efficiency, low-mercury alternatives.
  • De-lamp fluorescent fixtures wherever possible, maintaining enough lighting for safety and security purposes while eliminating glare.
  • Replace, wherever possible, traditional magnetic fluorescent lamp ballasts with electronic ballasts.
  • Put outdoor security lighting on timers that shut all lights off a certain number of hours after all visitors have left Liberty Island.
  • Establish a major recycling program for paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum and glass containers, electronic equipment and even used cooking oil to reduce energy use in producing recycled-content products.
  • Establish a major environmental purchasing program to purchase recycled-content products and materials.
  • Purchase only ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and electronic equipment wherever possible.
  • Use of LED (light-emitting diode) fixtures for spot lighting, exit signs and other locations where conventional lighting was once used.
  • Establish a comprehensive maintenance program where preventive maintenance and cyclic maintenance is routinely conducted to ensure that all mechanical devices are operating at peak performance.
  • Contract with a local service provider to keep air conditioning at peak performance to conserve energy.
  • Establish an employee training program to highlight the importance of energy efficiency in their routine activities and to emphasize their responsibilities in being a part of the overall conservation success.

To insure that its energy program is fully integrated into operations, Evelyn Hill, Inc. has implemented a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) which schedules preventive maintenance and cyclic maintenance based on manufacturer's recommendations. Work orders are automatically activated on scheduled dates, and if not completed, flagged for management attention and follow-up. Work orders include specific procedures to complete the designated task, thus assuring a level of consistency in performing and completing maintenance tasks.

The National Park Service controls the Statute of Liberty and surrounding park and all changes must have their approval. Buildings assigned to Evelyn Hill cannot be altered and there is always concern that nothing degrades the Statue of Liberty experience for visitors and the historic ambience of Liberty Island is maintained.

A major aspect of Evelyn Hill's "Greensponsible®" program is education of both employees and visitors. Employees attend a variety of training courses and the energy conservation messages are re-enforced with signage throughout work areas. Signs, labels, handout materials and posters are used throughout the general public areas to detail how energy is being saved, how sustainable dining is practiced and what is being done to reduce climate change.

The organization maintains an environmental management system based on the international standard ISO 14001:2004 which has the benefit of ensuring the full realization of all initiatives. In addition to using ENERGY STAR Small Business information, Evelyn Hill participates in other voluntary EPA programs including National Environmental Performance Track, Climate Leaders, Green Power Partnership and Waste Wise. In energy efficiency alone, Evelyn Hill is saving 101,000 kWh annually at an estimated cost savings of nearly $16,000. In a partnership with 3 Degrees, Evelyn Hill has purchased Verified Emission Reductions and Renewable Energy Certificates to offset its carbon footprint. This prevents the emission of 82 tons of carbon dioxide which is the environmental equivalent of CO2 emissions from the electricity use of almost 10 homes for one year.

Contact Information:

Mr. Bradford Hill, President
Liberty Island
New York City, NY 10004
Phone: (212) 363-3180
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*Questions Contact
J. Craig Erickson, Environmental Coordinator
Phone: (303) 682-5992