LOS ANGELES—EVgo Inc., one of the nation’s largest public fast charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs), announced that it received the first-ever shipment of 350kW fast chargers from Delta Electronics that are manufactured according to Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) standards. Delivered from Delta Electronics’ recently opened factory in Plano, Texas, this first shipment marks a milestone in developing the robust domestic supply chain needed to support the rapid growth in EV adoption across the U.S. and unlock funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. Delta has delivered 10 chargers to date, and EVgo expects...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. announced the publication of its annual Corporate Responsibility Report for 2023, which presents the company’s ongoing commitment to creating long-term value for the business and industry by investing responsibly in safeguarding the environment and supporting its employees, communities, and other stakeholders. “We are pleased to publish an updated report detailing our significant progress regarding environmental, social, and governance initiatives. Over the past year, we have developed a climate action plan to achieve our emissions reduction target of 30 percent by year-end 2025. Our climate plan includes active data and energy management programs and systems to...

CAGLIARI, SARDINIA—Forte Village in Sardinia, Italy announced they have recently been awarded the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification. The honor certifies that the resort complies with the highest social and environmental standards available, including the areas of restaurant, management of wellness, pool, and tennis areas. The notable achievement is a demonstration of the sustainability efforts and initiatives Forte Village has put in place over the last few years. Forte Village prioritizes environmental preservation and sustainable practices, focusing on a philosophy that revolves around living in harmony with nature, supporting the local economy and culture, and maximizing economic and social benefits. To ensure sustainable development, they...

MCLEAN, VA.—Through an expanded agreement with Tesla, Hilton last week announced that, beginning in early 2024, up to 20,000 Tesla Universal Wall Connectors are slated to be installed at 2,000 hotels in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, making Hilton’s planned EV charging network the largest of any hospitality company. With at least six chargers at each of the selected hotels, Hilton will become the first choice for the dramatically increasing number of travelers who drive electric vehicles. This announcement follows the recent launch of Tesla’s Universal Wall Connector, a product designed to seamlessly charge any North American vehicle model, expanding...

Name: Emma Jacobs Title: Social Purpose and Sustainability Manager Company: Legacy Vacation Resorts Years in Current Position: Two years Primary Responsibility: “Leading our Social Purpose initiatives, getting our teams involved, volunteering, doing cleanups, fostering a healthy ecosystem. We have a heavy focus on electrifying and transitioning to renewable energy.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in social purpose and sustainability: “We are ever-focused on the future with ambitious goals including getting to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030, reducing water usage per check-in (UPC) 25 percent and energy UPC 10 percent by 2025, and achieving 100 percent renewable energy company-wide by 2030. We are well...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced 14 Hyatt-owned hotels in the U.S. have transitioned to 100 percent renewable electricity through Green-e Energy certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to match their electricity use. This step is integral to meeting Hyatt’s 2030 science-based target of adopting renewable electricity across all its U.S. hotels, as part of Hyatt’s World of Care caring for the planet priorities. Hyatt’s science-based target includes reducing Hyatt’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 27.5 percent by 2030 compared to 2019. Collectively, the 14 Hyatt-owned hotels using 100 percent renewable electricity through Green-e Energy certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to...

NEW ORLEANS—The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) is replacing 1.9 million square feet of traditional roofing with a new, energy-efficient roofing system. The $40 million roof replacement project is part of a $557 million capital improvement plan and will be under construction until mid-2024. “We are taking a comprehensive approach to enhancing and transforming our massive facilities in order to elevate the visitor experience and reduce our environmental footprint here at the Convention Center—from new technology inside to new exterior greenspaces and a fantastic new heat-deflecting roof,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President/CEO. “This is an...

MÉRIDA, MEXICO—WAYAM Mundo Imperial may only have 52 suites but its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint surpass green-focused properties much greater in size. The property in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico just earned LEED Gold certification—the first one in Mérida with LEED certification and an ideal partner for Yucatan´s LEED Platinum International Congress Center. Fernando Zepeda, General Manager of the 72-employee WAYAM Mundo Imperial, says the hotel’s owners embarked on the path toward LEED certification about five years ago, though their commitment to sustainable development goes back decades. The property opened in the summer of 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic....

NORTON SHORES, MICH.—EarthTronics, dedicated to developing innovative energy-saving lighting products that provide a positive economic and environmental impact, introduces its EarthConnect 2.0, Bluetooth networked lighting control (NLC) system. It makes it easy for commercial facilities to maximize energy savings, improve comfort and achieve building code compliance. EarthConnect 2.0 provides enhanced efficiency which increases productivity and reduces waste. Its functionality includes quick wireless grouping, scene setting, full range dimming and scheduling. The lighting control hardware is easily installed in the field or at the factory providing project flexibility. Contractors will find it easy and quick to commission and facility managers will...

NEW YORK—Catalyst Power Holdings LLC, an integrated provider of cleaner energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector, is launching new energy storage solutions for businesses. Its new behind-the-meter energy storage will be integrated as an option in the company’s Connected Microgrid product to provide businesses with significant energy savings from load shifting, peak shaving, and other capabilities. “Energy storage offers businesses the opportunity to realize significant savings thanks to newly available federal tax incentives for storage projects, ” said Gabriel Phillips, CEO of Catalyst Power Holdings. “We’re at a time of tremendous opportunity in the clean energy transition—businesses that take advantage...