WASHINGTON, D.C.—As part of LEED v3, the latest version of the U.S. Green Building Council’s program for green building design, construction, operations and maintenance, buildings seeking LEED certification will begin submitting operational performance data on a recurring basis as a precondition to certification. “Today there is all too often a disconnect, or performance gap, between the energy modeling done during the design phase and what actually happens during daily operation after the building is constructed,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, U.S. Green Building Council. “We’re convinced that ongoing monitoring and reporting of data is the single best...

BURBANK, CALIF.—A new UVC Kit for Air Handlers from Steril-Aire, Inc. may be used in a wide range of HVAC applications to destroy microorganisms including flu viruses, bacteria and mold. The easy-to-install kit delivers Steril-Aire’s proven UVC technology to fan coil units, unit ventilator systems and indoor air handlers with coils up to 84" (213.4 cm) with dual access. It delivers energy savings on retrofit installations, maintains factory design efficiency on new units, and improves indoor air quality and infection control in all systems. Applications include air handlers serving patient rooms, classrooms, hotel/motel rooms, apartments and condominiums, and offices in...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—The Ashkin Group’s new sustainability workshop, The Operational Approach to Sustainability, was recently accepted into the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Education Provider Program. This program allows facility managers and others to access “high-quality, peer reviewed courses for professionals seeking to enrich their knowledge of green building theories, techniques, practices, and trends,” according to the USGBC. The half-day workshop was developed by Stephen Ashkin, president of the Ashkin Group, and Cynthia Schultz, the organization’s director of Sustainability Practices. According to Ashkin, the goal of the program, which is designed for the professional cleaning industry as well as other industries,...

PETERBOROUGH, ONT.—Enviro-Solutions, a leading manufacturer of green cleaning chemicals and products, is pleased to announce the addition of three new distributors representing the company in the Midwest and New England: Great Lakes Sanitary Supply, Michigan City, Indiana; Inlander Brothers, Chicago; and Lakeside Products, Plattsburg, N.Y. Mike Sawchuk, vice president and general manager of Enviro-Solutions, also reports that Enviro-Solutions has experienced strong and steady growth over the past two years, despite the difficult economy. “It’s an indication that green cleaning is alive and well in most areas of North America,” he says. “I am especially excited about these new distributors. They have...

SHEFFIELD, MASS.—Cypress Bath & Bed, a leading designer and manufacturer of luxurious bathrobes, towels, slippers, and sheets for the hospitality and spa industry, is experiencing a steady and increased adoption of their recently introduced Green Earth towels by California hoteliers. Due in part to the rising energy and water costs associated with laundering standard hotel and spa towels, California hotels have found a way to provide luxury linens, while reducing their operational costs. For these environmentally conscious hoteliers, the definition of product quality involves addressing and mitigating the energy and water costs it takes to launder, while not sacrificing...

WAIKOLOA, HAWAII—Hydrologix Grease Reduction Systems, Inc. announced that its new Hydrologix Grease Reduction System, the Hydrologix GRS, is being used by the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa in Waikoloa, Hawaii, to turn its restaurants’ brown grease waste into clear water—on the spot, in the grease trap. “This is huge for the hotel industry, restaurants, food plants and other food service operations,” says Cindy Furtado, vice president of sales for Hydrologix Grease Reduction Systems. “It’s the wave of the future. Our GRS is the most ‘green’ solution commercially available and very affordable. With no more pumping and dumping, we are...

DUNEDIN, FLA.—Mintek Mobile Data Solutions, a leading provider of automated asset management and preventive maintenance (PM) systems, has unveiled its new website at www.mintek.com. The site highlights Trancendent, the company’s Web-based system that enables hotel owners and operators to manage five important processes: preventive maintenance, asset management, capital expenditure (CAPEX) planning, work orders, and document and contract management. The easy-to-navigate website provides quick access to information not only about Transcendent, but also the latest Mintek news, product training, weekly webcasts, and online support. Site visitors can also schedule a product demo directly from the Mintek home page. “We are excited to...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—Officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated they will recommend the adoption of a policy that allows suppliers to make valid claims of “environmental preferability” in relation to the marketing of disinfectants and sanitizers. This statement represents a significant departure from the Agency’s well entrenched policy that prohibits “green” claims to be made in conjunction with the promotion of any EPA registered product, including antimicrobial pesticides. Specifically, EPA officials are expected to recommend that the Agency allow suppliers to make factual claims of environmental preferability in conjunction with disinfectants and sanitizers, according to Marty Monell of EPA’s...

NEW YORK—Perf Go Green Holdings, Inc., a leader in biodegradable plastic products and everyday green solutions, announced the launch of Perf Go Clean all-natural and sustainable household cleaning products, to be distributed beginning May 1, 2009. The highly-effective Perf Go Clean retail line includes Total Bathroom, Glass, and Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Fresh & Clean Air and Stain & Odor Remover and are all hypoallergenic, readily biodegradable, nontoxic, non-flammable and never tested on animals. Perf Go Clean gets the job done, at an affordable price, without toxic and harmful chemicals found in traditional cleaning products. Perf Go Clean bio-based products provide total...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes PTAC MAGIC as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. The company specializes in installing, cleaning and recycling Packaged Terminal Air-Conditioning units. The steam cleaning of PTACs improves air quality, cuts electric bills significantly, increases profits, kills mold and viruses, reduces repair costs, lowers replacement costs, and increases guest satisfaction. Steam cleaning is a chemical-free process. For more information, call (888) 401-7822, e-mail david@ptacmagic.com, or go to www.ptacmagic.com.