As earth day approaches, we reflect on the old mantra “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle;” it’s still great to do all of those things, but there’s a new movement afoot, one that is on the minds of Eureka Casino Resort’s employee-owners, called “Renewability.” Renewability is about finding better ways to do all the old things we are used to doing. For example, no one is going to stop driving their cars, so we, as a community, need to make the fuel cleaner, more efficient, and sourced from a replenishable supply. The current surge in hybrid and electrical car technologies shows the people are excited about the shift as well, and willing to try out something new. And if the new technology is better than what’s already out there, then renewability will be more generally adopted.
Not wanting to miss opportunities to do something positive for the community as well as the environment, the Eureka has stepped up and started to take on some of those “renewability” upgrades. One of the easiest and most effective changes that an organization can make to reduce power use is often overlooked and undervalued for its benefits. LED light conversions have numerous environmental benefits from being non-toxic and 100% recyclable, having an extended lifespan up to 400% of other types of electric lighting, to being more resilient to physical and climate damages, to releasing virtually no UV emissions during use. In January of 2020, the Eureka contracted with Energy Optimization Services to convert and replace the fluorescent and incandescent lighting on the property. The Eureka has replaced over 500 fixtures both inside and outside of the casino. In less than a year, the savings on electrical energy was enough to cover the cost of the conversion, and the new lights will keep that energy use low for years to come.
Another step the Eureka is taking to conserve energy use, and to find the most efficient way to use that energy, is to convert the property’s energy sourcing to a clean-burning natural gas for all heating and cooking needs. They are actively working with Southwest Gas and other local contractors in the conversion to natural gas, and by the summer of 2022, they expect to have all the kitchens converted, as well as adding the luxury of a heated outdoor pool. By increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and relying on environmentally friendly sources for fuel, the Eureka is more responsible about energy use without having to sacrifice an entertaining experience.
One of the most visible moves to “renewability” is the widespread adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles. The Eureka has recently added four charging stations at the casino and hotel; they are always being used. Since guests utilize these regularly, they endeavor to add more units in the coming year.
One of the things that has always been important to the Eureka family is to leave the space that we are using better than we found it, and this applies to all aspects of our community. Whether it is cosmetic upgrades to the overall image of Mesquite, or partnering with local charities and organizations to make sure all of our citizens are safe and comfortable, or converting outdated sources of energy to more efficient, environmentally friendly modern technologies, the Eureka has the future in mind. And the more steps we take today to keep our future renewable, the more we will help reduce the weight of our carbon footprint and light the way to a cleaner tomorrow.