CAMPBELL, CALIF.—At the Global Climate Action Summit, ChargePoint, the world’s leading electric vehicle (EV) charging network, announced a global commitment of 2.5 million EV charging spots by 2025, laying the groundwork for a future fueling network that will support the significant global increase in electrified mobility in the years to come. ChargePoint’s commitment will allow drivers to avoid nearly two million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Summit’s mission to inspire climate action. “Our commitment to deploy 2.5 million charging spots by 2025 comes as the company embarks on the most significant period of growth in our...

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—Friedrich’s VRP (Variable Refrigerant Packaged) Heat Pump system has landed top honors as one of the best new products of 2018 by Consulting-Specifying Engineer in the “HVAC: Air Movement and Compressors” category. “The Friedrich VRP is a game changer for the industry because it offers so many benefits in an easy-to-install, highly efficient package,” said TJ Wheeler, Friedrich VP of Marketing and Product Management. “Engineers in particular recognize and appreciate true innovation, so we are very honored to be selected for this award.” The Gold award from Consulting-Specifying Engineer is the latest in a string of honors that the...

SAN FRANCISCO—Starbucks Coffee Co. announced the “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework and a commitment to design, build and operate 10,000 “Greener Stores” globally by 2025. “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework will be built upon comprehensive performance criteria that help ensure the company’s approach to designing, building, and operating its company-owned stores sets a new standard for green retail. Over the next year, Starbucks will develop an accredited program to audit all existing company-operated stores in the United States and Canada against the framework criteria, culminating in 10,000 “Greener Stores” globally by 2025, encompassing existing stores, new builds and renovations. “Starbucks Greener...

LOS ANGELES—Bartco Lighting, a leading innovator in lighting manufacturing, introduces the Fathom Series, which includes eight clean, sleek, contemporary low-profile, remote- and integral-driven, linear LED luminaires that perform in wet outdoor locations. The Fathom Series is compatible with wet locations, performing well in outdoor environments. It achieves a UL Wet Rating in an entirely new way from its industry predecessors by exploiting the full capabilities of wet rated components on the interior of the luminaire, thus eliminating the need for unsightly sealing hardware. The Fathom Series is ideal for highlighting and outlining architectural elements, façade lighting, exterior soffits and porte cochere....

SAN FRANCISCO—Today, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) officially launched its Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment (the Commitment) as part of the momentous Global Climate Action Summit, celebrating 37 founding signatories. In an unprecedented statement of coordinated action from business and cities, states and regions, the 37 signatories, made up of 11 businesses, 22 cities and four states and regions, gathered at a dedicated session to signal the start of a leadership movement towards a decarbonized built environment. Businesses across the world and throughout the building and construction supply chain, have set ambitious targets to eliminate operational carbon emissions from their building portfolios of over 10...

COMMERCE, CALIF.—Nora Lighting features new high lumen RLM LED Pendant Shades for general lighting in hospitality, retail or commercial applications. The RLM shades are available in 10” diameters with 2800 lumens and 16” diameters with 2800 or 3800 lumen outputs for bright, even illumination. The shades are aluminum-spun and offered in black, white or gun metal finish with reflective white interior bowls. All fixtures have built-in dimmable drivers and LED COB technology, along with deep-set optics for visual comfort. Color temperatures include 3000K, 3500K and 4000K with 90+ CRI for realistic color rendition. RLM shades are often installed alongside Nora LED recessed...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Excel Dryer as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Excel Dryer’s expanded and enhanced product line features the high-speed, energy-efficient XLERATOR, XLERATOReco and ThinAir Hand Dryers, the first in the industry to receive Environmental Product Declaration certification from UL Environment. Enhanced standard features include adjustable speed and sound controls, adjustable heat settings (high, medium, low and off), an externally visible Service LED and multi-voltage options. Call (888) 998-7704 or e-mail sales@exceldryer for more information.

ATLANTA—Honeywell, a global leader in connected hospitality, announced that Zenique Hotels installed Honeywell’s INNCOM e7 Thermostats at its new 127-room Aloft Dublin-Pleasanton hotel in California. “We picked Honeywell for its robust integration capabilities with other software, its energy savings, and because the e7 Thermostat looks great,” said Rupesh Patel, President of Zenique Hotels. “Its flat panel controls are perfect for the exceptional Aloft guest experience we wanted to create. The e7 also communicates with our property’s Alexa voice activated room controls powered by Volara. The systems work well together and provide the innovation and convenience our guests love. Patel noted...

ORLANDO, FLA.—More than 8,000 food industry professionals gathered at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando last week for the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show. Among the hundreds of exhibitors were companies introducing products to reduce energy and water consumption and material waste. The following is a quick rundown of those companies and the products they featured: PowerTrak Efficiency Systems, LLC—PowerTrak Efficiency Systems introduced its VX Series Energy Management Thermostat that includes an occupancy sensor that allows for energy saving when rooms are unoccupied. Fully configurable settings allow for temperature setback, temperature recovery, setback optimization, setback limits, and set point...

FORT MILL, S.C.—HyLite LED announced new PAR46, PAR56 and PAR64 retrofit solutions. The HyLite LED Lotus Lamp is designed for a quick and easy installation in existing can lights. The HyLite LED Lotus Lamps feature excellent optics for increased visibility and low power consumption, helping to increase illumination while reducing energy costs. It is available in multiple beam angles: 15⁰, 25⁰, 40⁰ and 120⁰ for ideal light distribution. With lamp life of up to 60,000 hours, HyLite LED Lotus Lamps significantly reduce energy consumption and re-lamping, maintenance, and disposal costs. It enhances vision for better optical acuity. It also...