TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—With its Florida Green Lodging Program, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has one of the largest state-level hotel green designation programs in the United States. As of January 10, the Program had 319 designated Florida Green Lodging properties. The program is certainly one of the oldest as well, having launched in 2004. In its assessment of lodging establishments, the points-based Florida Green Lodging Program looks at the following five categories: 1. Communication and education (customers, employees, public). 2. Waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. 3. Water conservation. 4. Energy efficiency. 5. Indoor air quality. Properties can earn one of four designations: One Palm, Two Palm,...

BROOMFIELD, COLO.—Vail Resorts, Inc. announced the release of its 2022/23 Environmental & Social Responsibility Report. In 2017, Vail Resorts announced Commitment to Zero, a bold goal to achieve a zero net operating footprint by 2030, including zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill, and zero net operating impact to forests and habitat. The company shared it is ahead of schedule to reach its emissions goals, and on track for the broader goal of reaching a zero net operating footprint by 2030. With a commitment to make its mountain resorts more sustainable and inclusive, the company has made progress across all four pillars of...

One of the hottest topics in foodservice is the electrification of the kitchen and there are numerous organized and even legislative efforts to push businesses to go all-electric and eliminate natural gas. The aim is to decarbonize food and beverage operations. To help guide hoteliers, restaurateurs and others toward all-electric kitchens, the William J. Worthen Foundation included a very helpful volume (volume 5) in its “The Building Decarbonization Practice Guide.” The volume title: All-Electric Kitchens: Residential and Commercial, 2nd edition. I highly recommend reading through this section. It builds a very strong case for eliminating natural gas. “Kitchens present superb opportunities...

Bradley Company Sustainable & Touchless Handwashing Solutions Bradley’s versatile lavatory systems deliver a beautiful, sustainable and touch-free handwashing solution. Made of highly durable and maintainable Terreon® Solid Surface or Evero® Natural Quartz, these nonporous and seamless lavatories are hygienic, easy to clean and GREENGUARD-certified. Pair any lavatory system with Bradley’s popular all-in-one WashBar® models with touch-free soap, faucet and dryer—look for the unique angular bar shape for authentic Bradley quality and craftsmanship. Or select from an array of matching Verge™ soap dispenser and faucet sets. All of these touchless solutions provide advanced sensing operation and enhance the look and functionality of today’s...

NORTH BETHESDA, MD.—Choice Hotels International, one of the world’s largest hotel franchisors, announced an agreement with Tesla to offer Tesla Universal Wall Connectors to participating Radisson, Cambria, Comfort, Country Inn & Suites, Quality Inn, and other Choice-branded hotels across the U.S. Through this agreement, Choice-branded properties can add four or more charging stations for guests, helping to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging and eliminate one of the biggest pain points for EV drivers traveling for business or leisure. To find a hotel with a charging station, travelers can use the EV charging filter on ChoiceHotels.com and...

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—Carlisle Companies Inc., a leading supplier of innovative energy-efficient and labor-saving building products and solutions, announced that its newest polyiso manufacturing facility in Sikeston, Missouri received the first-ever LEED Platinum v4 certification in North America for a manufacturing facility. The LEED Platinum v4 certification is the highest standard for building energy efficiency designated by the U.S. Green Building Council. Carlisle’s LEED Platinum v4 certified facility delivers a 38 percent improvement in building performance through energy simulation modeling while generating over 10 percent of energy used (by cost) through renewable solar power. The facility also promotes employee well-being, productivity, and...

Founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and University of Chicago scientists who helped develop the first atomic weapons in the Manhattan Project, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists created the Doomsday Clock two years later, using the imagery of apocalypse (midnight) and the contemporary idiom of nuclear explosion (countdown to zero) to convey threats to humanity and the planet. The Doomsday Clock is set every year by the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, which includes nine Nobel laureates. The Clock has become a universally recognized indicator of the world’s vulnerability...

GERMANY—Leading hotel management system, SIHOT, together with energy transition start-up LADE, is facilitating improved guest experiences with connected onsite electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs. A direct integration between LADE and SIHOT PMS automatically applies electricity top-up charges to the guest’s hotel room, reducing friction in the payment and billing experience. Using LADE’s charging stations, guests connect their EV and authenticate at the charger using either a QR code by smartphone and entering their room number and ID or through an RFID key card issued by the hotel. Hotels can also integrate existing chargers if they support the Open Charge Point Protocol (OPCC). The...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—HyLite LED introduces the New NexGen Lotus Lamp, available in 40-, 60- & 100-watt options to replace 300, 500 & 1,000 watt incandescent and Halogen Lamps. The 100W Lotus Lamp is the world’s only Triac dimmable LED lamp. The proprietary and patented diecast heat-sink design provides excellent thermal management and heat dissipation. The IP-65 design provides complete ingress protection against contact, dust infiltration and water splashes. All the Lotus Lamps are DLC Listed and are eligible for utility rebates, providing greater savings from your energy provider. The Lotus Lamp easily fits into existing PAR Cans which makes retrofitting easy....

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp. announced that it has entered into agreements with One Energy to add onsite wind and solar power at its Findlay and Clyde, Ohio operations. The company currently has nine onsite wind turbines at four of its Ohio plants in Findlay, Marion, Greenville, and Ottawa. Combined, those turbines supply 22 percent of the electrical needs for those facilities. These two projects are among the largest behind-the-meter renewable energy projects in the U.S., and once complete will ensure the Clyde and Findlay plants receive at least 70 percent of their energy needs from onsite renewable energy. The expansion project...