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.

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.

SEDONA, ARIZ.—Sedona’s Kings Ransom Inn recently launched Green Suites International’s “EcoRoom Accommodation Program,” converting each of its 53 guestrooms into healthier, more environmental “EcoRooms.” The guestrooms will now feature more than a dozen environmental products. Kings Ransom Inn has also received a 4-leaf rating as part of the Green Suites Green Hotel Certification Program.

MOONACHIE, N.J.—BULBRITE introduces dimmable compact fluorescents (CFLs) featuring the new Coil, R30 and R40. BULBRITE is a leading supplier of energy-efficient light source solutions and an educational resource for lamping technology. BULBRITE dimmable Coil, R30 and R40 CFLs are ideal for use with portable lamps, recessed and track task lighting.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—EverGlow, a leading manufacturer of photoluminescent signs and markings, announced that its exit signs and exit path markings are now code compliant throughout the United States. Most local building and fire codes currently allow the replacement of electrical exit signs with photoluminescent exit signs.

NORTHBROOK, ILL.—Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a world leader in safety testing and certification services, recently announced the publication of ANSI/UL 8750, Safety Standard for Light Emitting Diode (LED) Equipment for Use in Lighting Products. The first edition standard creates a global platform of safety requirements for LED lighting equipment as well as the entire supply chain of components used in lighting products employing LED technology. “UL 8750 provides manufacturers a single, much-needed safety standard for testing their LED products and related components sold in the United States,” said Alberto Uggetti, general manager, UL Lighting Business. “The new standard also gives consumers confidence that LED products bearing the UL Mark have been tested for safety.” With the push for energy efficiency and clean technologies worldwide, LEDs are being used in an increasing number of lighting products.

RALEIGH, N.C.—In October, the Raleigh Convention Center joined an elite group of convention centers—those that have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. In Raleigh’s case, it earned LEED Silver, joining the Phoenix Convention Center, Spokane (Wash.) Convention Center Expansion, and the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore., as LEED Silver recipients. The Raleigh facility earned the LEED designation a little more than a year after the center opened in September 2008. The Raleigh Convention Center is owned and managed by the City of Raleigh. According to Laurie Okun, director of sales and marketing for the center, it made financial sense to pursue LEED certification. “The costs were neutral,” Okun says. “It was going to cost just as much one way or another.”

LAS VEGAS—Control4, a leader in IP-based home and hospitality control systems, announced that Control4 Suite Systems is being used to enhance the guest experience in more than 4,300 guestrooms in the ARIA Resort & Casino and Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas at CityCenter. Control4 Suite Systems enables guests to control every aspect of the room environment and interact with entertainment and hotel services.

HERNDON, VA.—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded the Energy Star qualification to Renaissance Lighting Inc. on seven more of its newest 4-inch all-white solid-state LED downlight fixtures. Recently, 11 of the company’s all-white 7-inch downlights became the first to receive the Energy Star qualification.

VICTORIA, B.C.—Carmanah Technologies unveiled its newest design in solar LED lighting: the EverGEN 1710 solar-powered area light. Designed as a compact stand-alone lighting alternative for off-grid parking lots and other municipal, commercial or industrial areas, the new EverGEN 1710 light combines advanced motion-sensing capabilities with a range of energy saving operating profiles to ensure bright, reliable illumination.