YOUNTVILLE, CALIF.—Bardessono has just received the highest level of official recognition possible for its sustainable and environmentally friendly design. The hotel has been awarded LEED Platinum certification, an achievement reached by only two other hotels in the world, on the first anniversary of its opening. Phil Sherburne built Bardessono with the intention of creating a hotel that provides guests with a luxurious experience while simultaneously protecting the environment. “I believe it is critical for the development community to be a leader in the effort to preserve a healthy planet,” Sherburne says. “We can’t just continue to talk about environmental problems, we have to begin to act. I hope we have provided an example from which others can benefit.” The hotel’s design, construction and operation followed guidelines of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

WILMINGTON, DEL.—American Hometec, Inc. introduces its patented coilless technology for electric tankless water heaters. American Hometec’s innovative coilless technology heats water indirectly with a patented space industry quality quartz tube technology with a semi-conductor coating for increased efficiency and water conservation.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In 2009, EPA’s Energy Star Leaders prevented the equivalent of more than 220,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and saved more than $48 million across their commercial building portfolios. These savings have quadrupled since 2008 and represent the single greatest year of savings since EPA recognized the first Energy Star Leaders in 2004. Over the past five years, Energy Star Leaders are saving money and helping the environment by preventing greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the electricity use of nearly 39,000 homes annually. This year’s list of Energy Star leaders includes Accor North America, Columbus Hospitality, and the Saunders Hotel Group. Energy Star Leaders must meet one of two energy efficiency improvement milestones. The first milestone requires a 10 percent energy reduction across the entire building portfolio.

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.—Reinforcing its “responsible lighting” commitment, WAC Lighting introduces LEDme Recessed Downlights. WAC Lighting, a leading manufacturer and designer of track, recessed, undercabinet, monorail and decorative lighting, develops nearly all of its responsible products in the family owned, ISO 9001-certified manufacturing campus with in-house UL approved testing labs.

PARK CITY, UTAH—The Treasure Mountain Inn, Park City’s only 100 percent wind powered and 100 percent carbon-neutral “eco-tique” hotel, has taken an additional step towards sustainability by adding solar power to its host of green initiatives. The system was appropriately launched on the first day of winter, the darkest day of the year, and is now generating green power for the lodging property’s spa and courtyard. Andy Beerman, Treasure Mountain Inn’s co-owner and general manager, said the solar system cost about $35,000. The inn’s owners were unable to obtain tax credits for the installation because the inn is considered a condo hotel.

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International and the World Environment Center (WEC) announced the launch of an innovative partnership to further strengthen the environmental commitment of Marriott’s Costa Rican suppliers by reducing energy and water consumption, minimizing waste and raw material usage, and lowering operating costs. The partnership between WEC and Marriott was officially launched at the Costa Rica Marriott. This initiative is part of a program called “Cleaner Production Private Sector Partnerships” supported by the United States Department of State. Building on more than 20 years of energy conservation experience, Marriott is committed to protecting the environment and addressing climate change through its Spirit To Preserve program. The greening of Marriott’s $10 billion supply chain is a key part of this effort. A group of Marriott’s small and medium-sized local suppliers in Costa Rica will be trained by WEC to improve their manufacturing operations.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes ClearEdge Power as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. With facilities in California and Oregon, ClearEdge Power is a privately held technology company leading the way for smarter, cleaner on-site energy systems focused on commercial, institutional and residential buildings.

COOPERSBURG, PA.—In effort to fill the gaps that currently exist between utilities and their customers in the burgeoning “smart grid” demand response arena, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. announced an initiative to broaden the use of its existing technologies that are used today in many “whole home” and “whole building” lighting systems.

TROY, OHIO—Hobart’s new patent-pending Energy Star qualified AM Select Ventless warewasher not only cleans and sanitizes dishware and heavily soiled pots and pans, but it also can save more than $5,000 in energy recovery, reduced HVAC use and the elimination of a vent hood and fan installation.

LONDON—Whitbread, the United Kingdom’s leading hotel and restaurant group, confirmed details of its plans for a second green hotel and its first low-carbon restaurant. The Burgess Hill Premier Inn, in West Sussex, represents the latest evolution in environmentally-friendly budget hotels. It follows Whitbread’s pioneering green hotel pilot in Tamworth, Staffordshire—the United Kingdom’s first green budget hotel which opened its doors to guests in December 2008. The 60-bedroom Premier Inn at Burgess Hill, due to open in autumn 2010, will adopt the best-performing green technologies trialed in Tamworth to deliver 70 percent carbon and 60 percent water savings. Adjacent to the hotel, Whitbread will develop its first low-carbon restaurant—a 220-cover Beefeater open grill restaurant. The investment forms part of Whitbread’s corporate sustainability program called “Good Together,” which was launched in December 2009.