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"Failure to Act:  The Economic Impact of Current Investment Trends in Water and Wastewater Treatement Infrastructure" is a report recently released by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).  It addresses the nation's aging water infrastructure (drinking water and wastewater treatment systems), and the potential cost to households, businesses and the economy in the next decades.  In 2010, the EPA estimated that $91 billion was needed to maintain and upgrade systems nationwide; only $36 billion was funded.  1211

The Mohegan Tribe's dedication to developing a sustainable facility began in 1994 when Norman Richards was asked to help with a required environmental impact statement to build the Casino of the Earth, one of many businesses currently operating within the Mohegan Sun complex. Richards, a retiree of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, created a master sustainability plan to include three areas: buildings and their associated HVAC systems, materials purchased for use and their subsequent disposal through sustainable waste management, and the minimization of transportation uses. To that end, Richards developed six teams of environmental professionals and academics focusing in those three areas. Site mitigation was the first order of business since the land had originally been used by United Nuclear Corporation for fabrication of reactor fuel elements by the U.S. Navy. Costing millions of dollars, the site was cleared of chemical and lead contamination as well as more common debris. Indigenous plants, including those used for traditional medicinal, spiritual and cultural purposes, were re-established.

Alternative Energy Sources

Alternative energy sources were built into the infrastructure of the large Mohegan Sun complex including , photovoltaics and fuel cells. Because fuel cells are not combustion sources but, generate electricity and all waste heat is reused, the emissions are very clean. However, they produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. To offset the CO2 emissions, the Tribe planted 100 acres of rainforest in Costa Rica on farmland where the soil had been depleted by coffee and sugar cane production. Reforesting the farmland into sequestration forests with occasional controlled thinning provides the farmers with a higher income than they had previously earned.

Recycling

The Mohegan Sun recycles the following, as mandated by the State of Connecticut: office paper, bottles and cans, newspaper, cardboard, scrap metal, used oil and lead acid batteries. The Engineering shops recycle scrap metal, wood, construction debris, all types of electronics, all dry cell batteries, a variety of spent lamps / light bulbs, mercury devices, aerosol cans and kitchen grease (sold to be incorporated into animal feed), among others.

The Pig Farm

Food waste is collected from room service, dining rooms, banquet facilities, and employee dining areas to be sent to a local pig farm. The waste food is run through Somat machines that remove excess water, and is emptied into "pig barrels" that are stored in loading dock coolers and transported daily to the Millaras Piggery in nearby Waterford. Anything not eaten by the pigs is mixed with pig manure and added to the farm's compost pile where it is used to grow plants.

Transportation Fleet

The Mohegan Sun has an extensive transportation fleet. Because the Tribal Public Safety Department operates vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they use a combination of hybrid cars and bicycles. All diesel vehicles run on ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel which reduces toxic sulfur-oxide emissions that release particulates into the air.

Guest Rooms, Offices, Restrooms

All guest rooms are equipped with infrared sensors which detect the presence of a guest in the room. Thermostats are activated when the room is occupied saving energy and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) costs. All guest rooms have low flow (2.2 gpm) faucets and aerators, low flow showerheads (2.5 gpm), and low flow toilets (1.6 gpf).

Kitchen and Food

Local food is sourced through the CT Grown Farmers Market as part of the Farm to Chef program. Food that is prepared but not served is donated to the Women's Shelter and hospice.

Short List of Additional Miscellaneous Energy Conservation Measures

• Low E or thermopane windows exist in at least 95% of the property. Lighting and HVAC programmable interior timers and / or sensors are located throughout "back of house" areas. Exterior timers exist in the garages, parking lots, site and accent lighting.
• "Vending Misers" on vending machines detect traffic and room / corridor occupancy and power down during no traffic periods.
• Numerous private offices, open office areas, restrooms and storage areas are equipped with lighting sensors that turn on / off based on occupancy.

Environmental Awards

The Mohegan Tribe has received several environmental awards. In 2004, the Mohegan Sun was recognized by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable for decreasing VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and hazardous air pollutant emissions. Dr. Norman Richards received the prestigious Michael A. Frost Award in 2004 from the National Tribal Environmental Council for leading the Mohegan Tribe to environmental excellence. The Mohegan Sun won the 2005 Energy Star CHP (combined heat and power) Award. More recently, in June 2008 the Mohegan Tribe received the Environmental Merit Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England Region in recognition of their leadership in environmental protection and success in developing the first single source Tribal Implementation Plan (TIP) designed to protect air quality. The Mohegan Sun Hotel has been certified as a Connecticut Green Lodging Facility in February 2011 which is a two year certification through February 2013.

Mohegan Energy, Environment, Economics and Education Center

The Mohegan Energy, Environment, Economics and Education Center opened in 2004. The primary function of the center, according to then-Mohegan Environmental Administrator Dr. Norman Richards, is to "provide visiting scientists, engineers, environmental advocates and others with the opportunity to participate in pollution prevention seminars, demonstrations and review case study information on the Mohegan Reservation's systems approach to pollution minimization... This center will provide others with a unique opportunity to learn about new methods and technologies that produce cleaner, more efficient energy while producing positive economic developments as well." (September, 2004 press release)