SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced that Moscone Center has received LEED Gold certification, the first convention center on the West Coast to attain the green building honor. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).“Moscone Center is a vital hub for our convention and tourism economy, and we are very proud to have the first convention center on the West Coast to earn LEED Gold for an existing building,” said Mayor Lee. “This is now our City’s largest municipally-owned green building. Receiving LEED Gold on...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Excel Dryer, Inc. announced that its XLERATOR high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryer is now available with a certified HEPA Filtration System. XLERATOR offers the only certified HEPA filtration system proven to remove 99.97 percent of potentially present bacteria and particulates from the air in the room, and the only one with a washable pre-filter for reliable performance and extended filter life. The HEPA filtration system is now available as an optional XLERATOR feature, or can easily be retrofitted into existing units.“Excel Dryer is the only hand dryer manufacturer that tests and certifies each HEPA filter to ensure it...

MANKATO, MINN.—A new compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) recycling container from VaporLok Products LLC, Mankato, Minn., can safely hold up to four 13-watt, or up to three 23-watt used CFLs, protecting consumers from hazardous mercury vapors if the fragile bulbs inside are broken from mishandling. With the average CFL containing approximately 4 milligrams of mercury, a single broken bulb can release vapor levels dangerous to consumers’ health. Exposure to mercury can cause neurological, kidney and brain damage in adults, children and fetuses.Especially significant, this CFL recycling solution is the only one that adsorbs mercury vapor inside the container to protect...

NEW YORK—Sherwin-Williams is has introduced its Emerald Interior and Exterior paints and ColorCast Ecotoner colorants. Both Emerald paints and ColorCast Ecotoner colorants are zero VOC. Emerald Interior and Exterior paints are self-priming for a high quality finish achieved with fewer coats. The entire line of Sherwin-Williams water-based paints and colors are now tinted with zero VOC colorant. “Sherwin-Williams has always been at the forefront of innovation,” said Steve Revnew, vice president of product innovation, Sherwin-Williams. “These products feature revolutionary quality and industry-leading environmental responsibility.” Emerald Interior paint prevents stains from penetrating, providing easy clean up of surfaces, and resists water streaking...

NATIONAL REPORT—For too many hoteliers, the past three to four years have been fraught with group cancelations, rate attrition, and cost reduction efforts. Engineering operations have been asked to do their part as well, often drastically reducing repair and maintenance expenses.   After all, with 10-12 cents of every dollar headed toward maintenance and energy, hoteliers often opted to eliminate or defer maintenance activities in a desperate attempt to maintain margins, prevent layoffs, or even just to keep the doors open. After years of trying to do more with less, the economic outlook is not quite as grim, and fiscal indicators...

ITHACA, N.Y.—The Survey Research Institute at Cornell University conducted a survey of a sampling of 2,347 people, with a total success of 329 respondents. The purpose of this study was to identify if there are hotel guests that would opt to stay in an allergy friendly room and be willing to pay a small premium for the room. On average, respondents stayed 12 nights per year in hotels or motels and 41 percent of the respondents had allergy issues. Fifty-five percent of respondents said the availability of allergy friendly rooms would cause them to choose a particular hotel over...

WEST CHICAGO, ILL.—Hasek Communications L.L.C., the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Tornado Industries/CFR Corp. as a Founding Sponsor. Tornado Industries is a provider of commercial and industrial cleaning equipment. The company’s are created to maximize cleaning efficiency and speed, minimize the impact of cleaning on indoor environments, and reduce the total cost of cleaning. The all new CK 14/1 Pro combines affordability, superior airflow, the benefits of an enclosed bag system, on-board tools, and true HEPA filtration for healthier indoor air quality.CFR Corp. designs and manufactures a complete range of eco-friendly carpet cleaning systems and high...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Westin Hotels & Resorts announced that it is applying its design-driven approach to its new public space design. Designed with guests’ well-being in mind, the new lobby incorporates natural design elements, flexible and functional zoning and conveniently-located retail and grab and go areas. Westin’s new public space concept is currently on display at Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego and will continue to roll out at participating properties worldwide throughout 2013. Five additional hotels are slated to feature the new concept this year including Westin Indianapolis, Westin Boston Waterfront, Westin Birmingham, Westin Georgetown and Westin Bethesda.The Vertical Garden...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Results of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) 2012 Lodging Survey provide strong evidence that the greening of the U.S. lodging industry is continuing. Funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) and conducted by STR, 52,155 U.S. hotel properties were polled in the survey that is conducted every two years. Similar data has been collected since 1988. There was a healthy response rate of 23 percent to this year’s survey.While most of the questions were repeated from previous years, there were new questions as well. For example, hoteliers were asked for the first time...

NEWTON, MASS.—Aircuity, the airside efficiency company, announced the release of a case study on the Mohegan Sun entitled, “Balancing a ‘World at Play’ with Sustainability and Environmental Objectives.” As demonstrated in the case study Aircuity helped Mohegan Sun maximize their energy efficiency by using centralized demand control ventilation (DCV) to provide the appropriate amount of ventilation for maximum occupant comfort in their resort and casino. Mohegan Sun is dedicated to providing world class entertainment in a facility that is clean, safe and enjoyable for guests. The Mohegan Tribe has a high regard for preserving the environment and chose Aircuity’s DCV...