WESTBURY, N.Y.—When Westbury, New York’s Viana Hotel & Spa was in its design stage, it was shortly after Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast. Oil prices shot up and the United States’ dependence on foreign oil was in the spotlight. It was within this climate of energy uncertainty that Alan Mindel and his team at Samar Hospitality decided to build the most energy-efficient hotel possible. Designed to achieve LEED-NC Silver certification, the 116-room Viana Hotel & Spa on Long Island features a closed-loop water-source heat pump system for heating and cooling as well as an 11-kilowatt photovoltaic system on...

ARLINGTON, VA.—The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) issued a report detailing the dramatic reduction of TV and computer monitor sizes and weights since the advent of flat-panel monitors and TVs. The report, Materials Footprint Reduction of Televisions and Computer Monitors: 2004-2010, found flat-panel TVs are 82 percent lighter and 75 percent smaller than their cathode ray tube (CRT) TV predecessors of a similar screen size. The report also found today’s 40- to 70-inch flat-panel TVs weigh 34 percent less than 13- to 36-inch CRT TVs. “The staggering reductions in materials in TVs and computer monitors have real and lasting environmental benefits,...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—WattStopper has created a YouTube channel in order to share its growing video library with a wider audience. Viewers can choose from numerous informative short subjects on topics ranging from installing specific controls to selecting high ROI control investments. The channel is updated frequently, and subscribers receive automatic notifications when new content is added. Viewers can watch the videos on mobile devices as well as their computers. By uploading video content to YouTube, WattStopper enables sales reps and distributors to incorporate this informative content in their own communications, providing added value to customers. The YouTube channel also directly...

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF.—Cogenra Solar, a provider of distributed solar cogeneration systems and renewable energy service solutions, announced that Kate Sherwood has joined the company as vice president of U.S. sales. Sherwood brings a proven sales and business development track record in the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry, including leadership positions at SunPower, SunLink and Recurrent Energy. She joins Cogenra to meet the company’s growing demand for its hybrid solar solution, applying her solar background to the rapidly developing market. “Kate Sherwood has consistently demonstrated the talent and drive to grow revenues and evolve sales teams in the solar space,” said Cogenra...

TAMPA, FLA.—LEDnovation, a developer of LED lighting and replacement lamp technology, has expanded its EnhanceLite LED MR16 line to include the first in a series of 50W equivalent (50W Eq) replacement MR16 lamps. The initial offering boasts a center beam candle power (CBCP) of 7360 Candelas at 7.9W and an efficacy of 57 lumens/watt. With a narrow spot beam angle of 11 degrees, this 50W Eq EnhanceLite LED MR16-50 is an optimum replacement for energy wasting, low-voltage halogen MR16 lamps widely used throughout the gaming industry in casinos and other hospitality venues. It offers true 50W equivalent performance, Energy Star...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—The Nashville Airport Marriott has gone green by installing two electric vehicle charging stations in the property’s parking lot. The Nashville hotel began installation the week of June 27 and the charging stations are now ready for use by its guests. The installation is part of a partnership with The EV Project that was created by ECOtality, an energy company that works to identify technological innovations in the electric transportation and storage industry. The EV Project’s purpose is to deploy electric vehicles and approximately 14,000 charge infrastructures in 18 major cities and metropolitan areas located in six states and...

VINELAND, N.J.—For the last year and a half, drivers motoring down Route 55 in Vineland, N.J., have been met with a surprising site—a 2,500-solar panel installation behind the Ramada Vineland. The .5-megawatt system sits on three acres of land owned by NGL Property Management, owner and operator of the adjacent 102-room Ramada. The solar system provides about 75 to 80 percent of the hotel’s power. That is significant given that the hotel has a banquet hall and three food and beverage facilities: Dakota Prime Steak House and Sushi Bar, Harry’s Pub (Bar & Grill), and The Speedway Café. According...

LAS VEGAS—Marriott’s Grand Chateau, located at the center of the Las Vegas Strip, has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star rating, the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. This signifies that the 40-story building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency. “We are thrilled to accept the EPA’s Energy Star in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts,” said Tom McCormack, general manager of Marriott’s Grand Chateau. “Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our ‘Spirit to Preserve’ commitment to the environment while also lowering our energy costs.” The 427-villa timeshare...

MINNEAPOLIS—AmericInn, a leading midscale hotel company, announced that construction has begun on a new brand prototype featuring a contemporary new design that represents the future hospitality concept for this expanding national brand. The new prototype is located in Fairfield, Iowa, and is being developed by long-term AmericInn franchisee Apollo Development, LLC of Minnetonka, Minn. Apollo has previously developed five AmericInn properties located in Illinois, Nebraska and Iowa. The new hotel is expected to open in March 2012 and will be managed by Three Rivers Hospitality, the hotel property management arm of AmericInn, headquartered in Chanhassen, Minn. “We are very pleased...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are now recognizing products that have earned the Energy Star label that are the most energy efficient in their categories. This pilot program is part of Energy Star’s overall commitment to protect people’s health and the environment by encouraging energy efficiency. The “Most Efficient” initiative also continues Energy Star’s work to provide consumers with the best efficiency information so they can make investments that will lower their energy bills and environmental impact. The new designation of Most Efficient aims to provide all manufacturers with an incentive...