NORTON SHORES, MICH.—EarthTronics, dedicated to developing innovative energy-saving lighting products that provide a positive economic and environmental impact, introduces its new energy-saving 4-foot, 10.5-watt EarthBulb Type B Direct Wire Linear LED T8 with a flexible design that eliminates the need for an electronic ballast or driver for operation on 120-277V to deliver 1700 lumens. The new EarthBulb LED T8 offers an easy to install solution for direct wiring fixtures that might require single- or double-end direct wire solutions. With a high-color rendering of 82, the lamp provides a 300° beam angle to produce a wide distribution pattern for directing more...

TROY, OHIO—Hobart has introduced its new CL conveyor type commercial dishwasher series with features designed to save time and money and simplify operation. The series has been awarded the 2024 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award from the National Restaurant Show (NRA) due to its cutting-edge technology. “We are honored to be recognized by NRA for this innovation in commercial dishwashing equipment and are thrilled to introduce our latest innovation in high-volume washing technology,” said Jaehan Kim, Product Manager for Hobart Warewash. “With simplified and improved cleaning and maintenance features, the CL offers unmatched performance, efficiency, and reliability. Whether our customers are...

NATIONAL REPORT—As the automobile industry experiences a seismic transition toward electrification, the landscape of EV charging infrastructure in the United States is rapidly altering. This article analyzes the dynamic world of EV charging infrastructure and its implications for the future of transportation, from expected rise in electric vehicle (EV) numbers to important factors affecting the evolution of charging networks and possibilities on the horizon. Overview of EV Charging Infrastructure Growth The United States is rapidly narrowing the EV charging infrastructure deficit, with approximately 600 fast-charging stations constructed in the first quarter of 2024 alone, according to the US Department of Energy....

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—The release of Radisson Hotel Group’s 2023 Responsible Business report marks the 35th anniversary since the Group issued its first pioneering environmental policy—the first ever in the industry. The 2023 report outlines key initiatives and milestones the Group achieved throughout the last year in the areas of Think People, Planet, and Community, and the progress in its transformation to become Net Zero by 2050. As a global Responsible Business Leader, the Group continues to transform its hotels and processes to be more sustainable and meet the growing demand of consumers for green travel, including the roll out of the Hotel Sustainability Basics (HSB). Following the approval...

GLENVIEW, ILL.—ITW Food Equipment Group announced it will attend the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show (May 18 to 21) at McCormick Place in Chicago. Restaurant and food service professionals who visit booth 4031 can see the latest in kitchen equipment from the group’s premier brands, including Hobart, Baxter, Traulsen, Vulcan and IBEX. Each piece of equipment displays the brands’ innovative approach to improving efficiency in commercial kitchens. The booth will feature four key focus areas introduced at last year’s show—Kitchen Productivity, Commercial Dishwashing, Leading Innovation and Service and Parts—along with live cooking demonstrations from the Vulcan, Baxter, and IBEX Culinary...

EXETER, ENGLAND—A topping out ceremony was recently held for the Zeal Hotel Exeter. The four-star, 142-bedroom hotel, constructed with half the embodied carbon of a standard hotel, will generate 100 percent of electricity consumed via the photovoltaic roof and wall panels, positioning it firmly in line with the 2050 Paris Agreement requirements and exceeding 2030 targets. The building, which achieved the BREEAM Outstanding rating at the design stage, is currently on schedule in week 39 of a 75-week construction program. As a fully sustainable operation, produce will be sourced locally or grown on site, stimulate economic growth through job creation and...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. has verified its near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). SBTi is a global climate action organization that develops tools that allow businesses to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets in line with data-driven methodology. Marriott is the largest global hospitality company to receive approval for both near-term and long-term science-based targets. The company has committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 46.2 percent by 2030 from a 2019 base year. Marriott also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from fuel and energy-related...

LOS ANGELES—GAF, a Standard Industries company and North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, and Climate Resolve, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit dedicated to climate resilience, announced the results of a peer-reviewed study by Altostratus Inc. examining the effects of cool pavements in mitigating urban heat. The study, which was conducted in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles as part of the GAF Cool Community Project, revealed reductions of ambient air temperatures by as much as 3.5°F during extreme heat events and a 25 to 50 percent reduction in the local census-tract urban heat island effect during temperature peaks. The results reinforce the efficacy of cool...

NEW YORK—Voltpost, the lamppost electric vehicle (EV) charging company, announced the commercial availability of an innovative, award-winning curbside EV charging solution. The company is developing and deploying EV charging projects in major U.S. metro areas, including New York, Chicago, Detroit and others, this spring. Voltpost decarbonizes mobility by democratizing charging access. The company retrofits lampposts into a modular and upgradable Level 2 EV charging platform powered by a mobile app. This first-of-a-kind platform provides people convenient and affordable charging while reducing the installation cost and time, maintenance, and footprint of chargers for communities. While Voltpost can serve any EV, the lamppost charging...

NATIONAL REPORT—Over the past four years, utility costs at U.S. hotels have increased at a pace greater than total operating revenue. As a result, utility department expenses increased from 2.9 percent of total revenue in 2019 to an estimated 3.3 percent in 2023. As hotels have struggled to recover from the pandemic, any rise in cost ratios is an area of concern for owners and operators. The good news is that the pace of growth appears to be slowing down. Year-over-year growth rates for utility expenditures have declined on a dollar per-available-room (PAR) basis from a high of 21.4...