RAMONA INDIAN RESERVATION, CALIF.—Catalyx, Inc. has been contracted to be the technology provider and will team with the Ramona Band of the Cahuilla Indian Tribe to develop the Tribe’s Ecotourism resort near Anza, Calif. The first of its kind, the Ramona Band of Cahuilla Mission Native Americans’ resort is designed as a 100 percent off-grid renewable energy project that will employ multiple alternative energy technologies to meet 100 percent of its energy needs. The resort will also recycle much of its own waste by-products, such as sewage, biogas, and restaurant food waste. The resort, funded jointly by the Ramona...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Cypress Luxury Bed & Bath Amenities as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. Cypress’ focus is on exclusive bed and bath linens that are luxurious, durable, and environmentally friendly. They require significantly less energy to launder, 30 percent less water consumption, less detergent, and 10 to 20 percent less drying time. Cypress Green Earth towels are manufactured at a zero-effluent discharge textile mill in India, using Control Union-certified, eco-friendly dyes to reduce environmental impact. Call (800) 347-7623, e-mail sales@cypressbathrobes.com, or go to www.cypressgreenearth.com for additional information.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Continental Girbau, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. Continental’s high-performance washer-extractors boost profits by decreasing water, natural gas and electricity usage. The equipment maximizes laundry productivity while using less labor. Thanks to Continental high-performance washer-extractors, hotels reduce utility and labor costs, and in the process, conserve the Earth’s natural resources. The company offers a full line of quality built card or coin laundry equipment and on-premise commercial washer and dryers. For additional information, call (800) 256-1073, e-mail info@continentalgirbau.com, or go to www.continentalgirbau.com.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.—Worrell Water Technologies announced enhancements to its Next Generation Living Machine system, a proprietary ecological wastewater treatment system. Unlike today’s approach to wastewater treatment, the Living Machine operates as a decentralized, on-site system for water treatment and recycling, creating quality fresh water without chemicals, odor or nasty by-products. The Living Machine is a ‘turbo-charged’ engineered wetland system which combines the compact footprint of traditional wastewater treatment technologies with the energy efficiency of conventional constructed wetlands. In operation in more than two dozen locations worldwide, the Living Machine system is a patented and trademarked technology offered only by Worrell...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Watt Stopper/Legrand has launched a versatile 0-10 volt wall box controller that can be used to dim or switch lighting loads or raise and lower shades. The DRLV1 controller is the first such device to include an input allowing automatic control by an occupancy sensor when used for lighting control. The device is RF-enabled and is also the first 0-10 volt wall box controller that can be incorporated into a wireless scene control system. The DRLV1 is part of Watt Stopper’s line of Miro Controls, which includes wireless RF dimmers and scene controls. Wireless Miro reduces the cost...

BETHESDA, MD.—For the third straight year, Marriott International has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its Sustained Excellence Award. Among a long list of “green” accomplishments, the EPA noted Marriott’s energy reduction strategy, through which the company and its owners avoided $1.3 million in costs; decreased greenhouse gas emissions by 3 percent per available room; and increased its total number of Energy Star hotels to 275, the most of any hotel company. “Now, more than ever, helping to preserve the planet makes good business sense and is vital to the future of our company,” says Arne...

ARDSLEY-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.—Organizers of the First Annual Global Renewable Energy Networking Summit have announced that several of the country’s top leaders in the green hospitality industry have accepted invitations to speak and participate in discussion panels at the upcoming three-day event. Executive chairperson Clare Misquitta and event organizers confirmed that Scott Parisi, president of EcoGreenHotel and John Grillo, president of National Energy Services Co., will co-deliver a keynote address at the summit, which is being convened April 15 to 17 at the Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center in Macungie, Pa. “We are delighted that Scott and John have...

NATIONAL REPORT—Believe it or not, guestroom energy management systems have been around for almost 30 years now. According to Lodging Technology, it originated infrared occupancy sensor-based hotel energy conservation in 1980. It is only in the past few years, however, that wireless versions of the many hard-wired systems on the market have become available. Some vendors are just rolling out their wireless offerings. No two wireless systems are exactly the same but they all rely on thermostats, motion and/or passive infrared (PIR) occupancy sensors, along with door switches and transceivers/controllers to power down heating and cooling when guests have...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—The Caribbean tourism sector has taken a major step towards energy efficiency within the hotel industry. The region’s public and private sector tourism groupings, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA)—through its environmental arm, the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST)—have launched a 24-month project to help the Caribbean hotel sector move towards energy efficiency. The $2 million Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency Action Program (CHENACT) is meant to drive the Caribbean hotels to implement energy efficient practices and to generate their own renewable energy. This, in turn, is expected to improve their competitiveness...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp., a leading home appliance manufacturer, has been recognized with the 2009 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The award recognizes the company’s leadership in offering consumers appliance energy and water efficiency through its portfolio of brands. This is the company’s tenth Energy Star award and fourth consecutive Sustained Excellence win. Whirlpool Corp. will accept the award at ceremonies in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2009. “Whirlpool Corporation is honored to again receive the Energy Star Sustained Excellence award,” said Mike...