ITHACA, N.Y.—The hotel industry will be able to compare ranges of energy and water use, as well as carbon footprint, using a new tool from the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR). Developed by researchers Howard Chong and Eric Ricaurte, the “Hotel Sustainability Tool 2015” is available from the CHR at no charge. Chong is an assistant professor at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, and Ricaurte is the founder of Greenview and an adjunct instructor at New York University's Tisch Center.Chong and Ricaurte developed the benchmark ranges using aggregate input for 4,725 hotel properties from 11 international hotel...

LAS VEGAS—The Green Parking Council (GPC) announced the first seven parking facilities in the United States to achieve Green Garage Certification, a comprehensive sustainability standard for existing and new parking facilities launched in 2015 and evaluating 48 elements of garage operation, programs, structure, and technology. The parking garage at the Charles Square Hotel in Cambridge, Mass., is among the seven to be certified. The Green Garage Certification program will be delivered and promoted globally by the Green Business Certification, Inc., the certification body for the U.S. Green Building Council’s global LEED green building rating system. “Cars are getting smarter, people are...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Lunera Lighting, Inc. recently introduced the Lucy Lamp, the latest addition to its commercial BallastLED Lamp line. The Lucy Lamp is designed as an energy efficient, plug-and-play LED replacement to easily replace indoor or outdoor High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamps.“As a recognized innovation leader in LED lighting design and technology, we’re excited to extend our plug-and-play LED lamp products with the Lucy Lamp for HPS applications,” said Lunera’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Tom Quinn. “The continued expansion of Lunera’s BallastLED products sends a strong signal to facility owners and operators about the viability of plug-and-play LED...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced it has reduced energy use by 12.08 percent, carbon emissions by 16.07 percent and water use by 17.26 percent across all owned, managed and franchised properties from 2008 through 2014. The reductions stem from Starwood’s 30/20 by 20 environmental goals, launched in 2009, to cut energy use by 30 percent and water use by 20 percent by 2020 globally. In 2013, Starwood added a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent during the same timeframe.“We’re pleased with the progress and are encouraged by the reductions we made while maintaining an...

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIF.—Having achieved its initial goal of reinvigorating a historic property, the ownership group of Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort has retained Maxim Hotel Brokerage, Inc. to represent them in the sale of the asset. The iconic Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort located in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., is 15 minutes from the Palm Springs International Airport. Two Bunch Palms, the oldest hot mineral spa resort, is celebrating its 75-year anniversary by commissioning a 3.5-acre solar farm.The resort recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation to update and expand its rooms, restaurant, yoga, meeting facilities and IT infrastructure....

BETHESDA, MD.—Mark Foster, an expert in project management and optimization of energy systems, has joined Green Generation Solutions, LLC (GreenGen), a Washington D.C.-based company experienced in engineering and implementing energy efficiency plans in commercial properties, as Manager, Europe. In this capacity, Foster supports GreenGen’s European operations, providing a full range of bespoke energy, water, and carbon reduction solutions for GreenGen’s commercial property owner clients in Europe.“Mark is a brilliant addition to our staff in Europe,” said Brad Dockser, CEO, GreenGen. “He brings a wealth of experience as an electrical engineer that will immediately strengthen our Solutions Group. His deep...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Zeno Controls LLC announced that its InnPoint Guest Experience Interface, which monitors a variety of sensors in the room to provide adaptive guestroom lighting, heating/cooling and improved energy savings, can now support Schneider Electronics ZigBee devices, including the new 8300 Series Room Controllers, 8600 Heat Pumps Controllers, and accessory sensors. This effort is enabling Zeno to offer hotels and resorts a complete Building Automation System using Schneider SmartStruxture for the controls engine and ZENO’s InnPoint Guest Experience Interface to optimize the data to improve guest satisfaction.“Today Zeno is giving the hospitality industry more choices for energy-saving building controls...

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—Evolve Guest Controls LLC announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Kristin Miller as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors effective immediately. Miller will succeed Len Horowitz, Founder of Evolve. Horowitz will remain with the company in his new role focusing on strategic development and global customer relations, and also continue to serve on the Board of Directors as Vice Chairman.“This is an excellent point in time for Kristin to join Evolve as our new CEO,” Staffan Encrantz, Chairman of the Board, said. “Current demands for responsible energy usage, connected...

CABO ROJO, P.R.—Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s Executive Director, Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort, along with the Paradores Owners Association President, Tomas Ramirez, announced the opening of 12 new EcoSuites at Parador Combate Beach at El Combate Beach in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. With this new expansion, the Parador will include a total of 48 guestrooms, in configurations to accommodate two to six people. This innovative expansion was completed with recycled materials and sustainable technologies and equipment designed to save energy. The total investment in this new project exceeds $275,000, creating 10 direct jobs and 15 indirect jobs during the construction...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Energy Department has launched a new indoor lighting campaign to increase the use of high-efficiency lighting technologies in commercial buildings. Through the Better Buildings Alliance, the Department is working with key stakeholders and end users in both the public and private sectors to install and demonstrate advanced technologies. Additionally, the Department recognized Advanced Roof-top Unit Campaign partners and Green Lease Leaders for collaboration between building owners, landlords and tenants to improve energy efficiency.“Through the Better Buildings Alliance, building owners are finding novel and exciting ways to save energy all across their portfolios,” said Dr. Dave Danielson, Assistant...