ATLANTA—Recommendations on achieving 30 percent energy savings over minimum code requirements are contained in the newly published “Advanced Energy Design Guide for Highway Lodging.” The energy savings guidance for design of new hotels provides a first step toward achieving a net-zero-energy building. “The recommendations allow the building industry to create more energy-efficient hotels while maintaining the quality and functionality of the space to provide a pleasant guest experience,” said Ron Jarnagin, chair of the committee that wrote the book. The book, published by ASHRAE, gives guidance to architects, engineers, contractors and other building team members on how to easily achieve...

ATLANTA—When NYLO Dallas/Las Colinas opens in late July 2009, it will run on 100 percent renewable energy. The loft-style boutique hotel brand has signed an agreement with TXU Energy to become the supplier’s first hotel customer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to purchase 100 percent Renewable Energy Certificate-based electricity. “This is a huge initiative as we look to become an even more eco-friendly brand,” said Patrick O’Neil, executive vice president of operations for NYLO Hotels, which already incorporates renewable energy in all of its other locations. “TXU Energy is our neighbor in Las Colinas, and we are proud to work...

LONG BEACH, N.Y.—The Allegria Hotel & Spa, located in Long Beach, N.Y., just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, will open July 1. The 143-room property is expected to earn LEED certification by this fall. The hotel previously was a 140-room assisted living facility. It was renovated and expanded by three floors. Minimal demolition was needed during the conversion. The hotel will include a rooftop Joseph Christopher for Beauty & Wellness spa and a poolside bar, Jacks on the Rocks. It will serve light spa fare and organic juices and smoothies, all prepared under the direction of chef Todd...

NORWALK, CONN.—HEI Hotels & Resorts, one of the United States’ fastest growing private owner/operators of hotel real estate, announced the company will be presented with the 2009 Corporate Energy Management of the Year Award at The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)’s Awards Celebration Banquet, held in conjunction with the World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC), on November 4 of this year. The event will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. “Energy consumption is one of the leading issues facing the world today,” said Bob Holesko, CEM, vice president of facilities, HEI Hotels & Resorts. “This...

RIPON, WIS.—UniMac’s highly efficient drying tumblers and UW washer-extractors with UniLinc control were recently installed in the on-premises laundry at Cavallo Point-The Lodge at Golden Gate, Sausalito, Calif. Cavallo Point employed a broad reaching green strategy in all elements of its major rehabilitation project that turned a historic military fort into a unique upscale resort property. In the laundry, management utilized a water reuse system to reduce its impact on the environment. With the water reuse system and the advanced programmability of UniMac washer-extractors, the laundry is able to decrease water use overall and reuse 70 percent of its wash...

HIDDEN VALLEY, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA—The Solar Eco Cabins and Interpretive Centre at Hidden Valley Cabins are an inspiration for the tourist industry and the community to follow, Stephen Pahl, CEO of Ecotourism Australia, said recently. “Hidden Valley Cabins is Australia’s first fully carbon neutral resort and tour business, and they have recently achieved Advanced Ecotourism Certification,” he added. “The official opening of the Solar Eco Cabins on April 4 is the culmination of the McLennan family’s commitment to environmental improvement over more than 20 years and they have achieved a model that should inspire the rest of the tourist industry...

SHEFFIELD, MASS.—Cypress Bath & Bed, a leading designer and manufacturer of luxurious bathrobes, towels, slippers, and sheets for the hospitality and spa industry, is experiencing a steady and increased adoption of their recently introduced Green Earth towels by California hoteliers. Due in part to the rising energy and water costs associated with laundering standard hotel and spa towels, California hotels have found a way to provide luxury linens, while reducing their operational costs. For these environmentally conscious hoteliers, the definition of product quality involves addressing and mitigating the energy and water costs it takes to launder, while not sacrificing...

ALSIP, ILL.— Litetronics International Inc. has introduced its GU24 socket adapters to accompany its line of Spiral-Lite GU24 compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Litetronics GU24 socket adapters screw and lock into medium-based sockets to permanently retrofit fixtures into energy-saving GU24-based fixtures. Once the adapter is installed into the socket, it cannot be removed, which guarantees that inefficient incandescent bulbs cannot be used in the socket. Spiral-Lite GU24 CFLs and adapters are great for maintenance applications where building maintenance managers want to ensure energy-saving CFLs are used in the fixtures instead of incandescent lamps or for applications that require theft protection....

ORLANDO, FLA.—Florida solidified its position as a front-runner in sustainability late last month with the unveiling of the Orange County Convention Center’s new one-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) system, the largest rooftop solar installation in the Southeast. Solar panels span the length of five and a half football fields, generating 1,300 megawatt-hours of electricity per year—greatly reducing the center’s carbon footprint and electricity costs. The new PV system was made possible by a $2,500,000 grant provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Renewable Technologies Grant. Additional support for the project was provided by the OUC, EDC and U.S. Dept. of...

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y.—Evolve Guest Controls announced a fundamental commitment to protect the environment by becoming an Energy Star Partner. Evolve’s voluntary partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program means that it will be working toward helping its clients improve the energy efficiency and performance of their properties. “We believe that an organization-wide energy management approach will help our clients enhance their financial health and aid in preserving the environment for future generations,” says Len Horowitz, president. “Evolve is very excited to be named an Energy Star Partner. This recognition underscores Evolve’s commitment to saving the planet...