DELAVAN, WIS.—When the husband-and-wife team of Fritz Kreiss and Catherine McQueen learned that a two-lane highway adjacent to their five-acre property in Delavan, Wis. would be expanded to four lanes they could have tried to sell the land with their cottage on it. Instead, they decided to build perhaps North America’s greenest lodging establishment—the 19-suite Green Leaf Inn that will be a net zero energy property. Net zero energy properties generate more energy than they consume. The Green Leaf Inn is scheduled to open in the spring of next year.It is the owners’ intention for the inn to serve...

GRANVILLE, OHIO—Next generation Acrylic Washington PostLite II LED luminaires from Holophane deliver more benefits and choices for a complete range of outdoor applications, including: walkways and parking lots. Enhanced LED sources reduce energy and maintenance costs while original housings provide improved appearances and more design options.Washington PostLite II LED luminaires are the latest generation of a line of luminaires considered the standard for decorative acorn-style lanterns. The new LED optical design replicates HID light levels with asymmetric and symmetric distribution and comfortable, low-glare in multiple lumen packages for design flexibility. Like the original, the new generation is optimized to...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—LG Electronics has been named 2012 Energy Star Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is honoring LG for its contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient products and helping to educate consumers about those products.A long-time Energy Star partner, LG Electronics increased its U.S. sales of products that earn the Energy Star label, the government-backed symbol of energy efficiency, by nearly 30 percent in 2011. LG’s accomplishments were recognized at the EPA’s awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, marking the 20th anniversary of Energy Star.“As we celebrate...

VERNON HILLS, ILL.—Scotsman Ice Systems announced it was named in McDonald’s Corporation’s 2012 Best of Sustainable Supply Chain report for its Prodigy line of ice machines. The line reduces up to 50 percent of water consumption, which translates into saving more than 150,000 gallons of water over the typical lifetime of the machine. McDonald’s Best of Sustainable Supply Chain report recognizes companies that implement innovative and effective ways to address challenges to help improve food sources, the environment, communities and employee wellness across the world. “Scotsman was the only ice machine manufacturer awarded this distinction in 2012 by McDonald’s,” said Rich...

TACOMA, WASH.—Premier SIPS by Insulfoam has received FSC Chain of Custody certification for the oriented strand board (OSB) it uses in its structural insulated panels (SIPs). FSC certified forest products are verified from the forest of origin through the supply chain (FSC-C109396). The FSC label ensures that the forest products used are from responsibly harvested and verified sources. “Using FSC certified wood products provides building professionals who use SIPs with an additional way to earn points under leading green building rating systems,” said James Hodgson, general manager for Premier SIPS. “We’re pleased to be able to offer this option to...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc., a producer of energy-efficient lighting and control solutions, introduces the new patent-pending WSD NGX (Neutral/Ground Exchangeable) wall switch sensor as an addition to its Sensor Switch line of occupancy sensors. This new sensor provides an innovative and contractor-friendly solution to meet the neutral/ground wiring requirements under the 2011 National Electric Code (“NEC 2011”) without having to purchase a dedicated unit.The WSD NGX sensor can use either the neutral conductor required by NEC 2011 for new construction projects, or it can use the ground connection, which is a common wiring method for many retrofit applications. The sensor’s...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Promising “Balanced Living on the Road,” Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s Element Hotels brand has announced an initiative designed to marry Element’s commitment to providing health and fitness options for travelers with its green design sensibility. Element Hotels is set to pilot pedal-powered generators on stationary bikes in its fitness centers, enabling guests to generate electricity and charge their own personal electronic devices as they work out. The pilot was unveiled in Miami at the March 15 opening ceremony for Element Miami International Airport, the newest Element Hotel. Starwood President and CEO Frits van Paasschen, an avid...

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA—Electric vehicles in eastern Iowa now have a place to get recharged. The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, with funds from the city of Cedar Rapids, installed a level two electric vehicle charging station in one of its parking stalls. Hotels around the country are just beginning to install charging stations for their guests and the public who own the vehicles.“The Hotel at Kirkwood Center hosts guests from around the country, and even around the world,” said general manager Lee Belfield. “More of these guests are now driving electric vehicles, and we want to make sure they have...

PHOENIX—Phoenix-based Easy Energy has just announced the completed installation of a solar water heating system at the newly renovated Holiday Inn North Phoenix. The solar water heating system is designed to harvest and store 3,000 gallons of solar heated water each day for the hotel’s 174 guestrooms. “Solar Water Heating is an effective and reliable renewable technology for the Phoenix climate,” says Brian Bartel, managing member of Easy Energy. “Solar water heating can easily compete with natural gas for heating water by partnering with local suppliers, capturing state utility rebates and engaging financiers who seek to invest in renewable technology.” The...

NEW YORK—An industry leader in room air conditioners, Haier is introducing a new line of Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs) designed to offer reliability, quality, and comfort for consumers who are the end users of traditional PTAC applications. Applications include hotels and motels, senior care facilities, dormitories, military housing, and some residential applications. For many years now, Haier has dedicated itself to making home comfort products that are energy efficient, quiet, easy to maintain, and most importantly, that cool or heat properly and efficiently. With this in mind, Haier’s PTAC line includes features like an attractive digital thermostat module that...