Carbon & Energy ~

“No Idling Zone” Initiative

This initiative demonstrates our dedication to environmental stewardship and our hope to inspire others to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% in 2025. Vehicle idling or leaving the engine running while stationary significantly impacts the environment, contributing to air pollution by emitting harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide.

With new signage in specific back-of-house areas, Oglebay encourages drivers to turn off their engines if they anticipate being stationary for more than 30 seconds. We raise awareness among our employees and vendors about the benefits of reducing idling and how they can contribute. Additionally, Oglebay optimizes delivery routes to minimize congestion and waiting times, significantly reducing idling during transport and delivery.

Oglebay has also partnered with Green Places for a third party GHG protocol-aligned carbon footprint assessment. This assessment has led to the following improvements:

  • Replacing propane with natural gas in all Lakeside Cantina fire pits
  • Converting to LED lights
  • Installing motion sensors on low-activity light switches and a guest room energy management system with occupancy sensors
  • Installing high-efficiency bathroom fixtures, reducing water usage by 20%
  • Converting to high-efficiency boilers and washer/dryers in the laundry department

Forest Restoration

EQT, Oglebay’s partner in the Forestry Management Program, is assisting us in maintaining our forest ecosystem and protecting the biodiversity of our natural areas. As the nation’s largest producer of natural gas, EQT is supporting a forest management project that covers over 1,000 acres of natural wooded areas on the perimeters of Oglebay and Wheeling Park. Biodiversity is essential for providing functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, plant pollination, pest control, and wastewater treatment.

EQT is removing invasive species such as autumn olive, privet, and oriental bittersweet. After clearing the land, EQT is replanting the areas with a variety of native species, including American chestnut, black walnut, sycamore, aspen, red oak, white oak, black locust, yellow poplar, red maple, sugar maple, serviceberry, and hawthorn trees. This incredible biodiversity will re-establish acres of hardwood trees, attracting songbirds and other wildlife.

Improving Soil Health

Teralytic, a soil analytics company, is utilizing advanced soil probe technology to measure the impact of the forest management project with EQT Corporation on soil health. Teralytic probes provide real-time measurements of soil carbon, soil moisture, and other vital soil nutrients. Additionally, EQT partners with Wheeling Country Day School to pilot an educational learning program that allows students to learn about soil health by monitoring real-time changes in soil conditions 24/7.

Oglebay has also recently installed an In-Field Biochar System that processes forestry waste and converts it into a fine-grained charcoal used as a fertilizer. This system sequesters carbon emissions for 1,000 years, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.