WASHINGTON, D.C.—In response to EPA’s nationwide challenge issued in December 2006, 53 Fortune 500 corporations are now collectively purchasing more than 6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually. These purchases surpassed the goals set by EPA’s Green Power Partnership by 130 percent and equal the avoided carbon dioxide emissions of more than 570 million gallons of gasoline each year or the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 670,000 average American homes annually. Aramark Parks & Resorts is among the top purchasers of green power. “EPA applauds our Fortune 500 partners for protecting our environment by...

TOBERMORY, ONTARIO—With its six suites, the E’Terra Inn here serves as one of the best examples of sustainable building in Canada and the United States. Ninety-five percent of products and materials used throughout the inn were made in North America, and the property is one of the first in the world to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold status. It was awarded that designation in 2005 by the Canada Green Building Council. E’Terra sits within the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula separating Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. The luxury property...

CELEBRATION, FLA.—The Mona Lisa Suite Hotel, the new 240-room all-suite luxury hotel scheduled to open next month in Celebration, Fla., revealed the steps it is taking to make the hotel a leading choice for guests who seek luxurious, high-touch accommodations while minimizing their impact on the environment. To validate its dedication to being environmentally friendly, the hotel will seek certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Green Lodging Program. According to hotel executives, the move is part of the hotel’s commitment to serving the best interests of hotel guests, the neighboring community and other stakeholders. ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. —EPA has announced a revised Energy Star specification for televisions. Effective Nov. 1, 2008, TVs that carry the Energy Star label will be up to 30 percent more efficient than conventional models and will save energy while they are on and when they are off. The new modifications are expected to prevent greenhouse gas emissions while offering U.S. consumers the very best in terms of feature-rich, high-quality TVs. “Energy Star’s new specifications for televisions are turning the channel on energy guzzling sets—making them go the way of rabbit-ears and the black and white TV,” said EPA Administrator...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—A new guide offer hotels simple energy-saving tips that can cut costs while increasing aesthetics and comfort. Flex Your Power, California’s energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign, has released its Hotels Best Practices Guide. Tips come from all aspects of hotel operations, covering lighting, water, HVAC, windows, roofs, restaurants, laundry, vending and ice machines, office equipment, exercise rooms, pools, saunas, hot tubs and demand response programs. The guide was designed with the easiest and most cost-effective strategies in mind, providing information on how hotel operators can make changes on their own or with the help of experts. Aside...

SAN DIEGO—The management from Solar Gard window films, a Bekaert product, announced it has teamed up with the Clinton Climate Initiative to reduce energy consumption in public and commercial buildings. Installation of Solar Gard window film is included under the Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, which was designed to help public entities lower their energy consumption. Solar Gard window film can be sized to fit any glass door or window, making it an essential measure for government buildings that are often historic and frequently characterized by oversized windows. Now, all public organizations that have committed to reducing their carbon footprint...

MINNEAPOLIS—Honeywell announced it has been awarded a $4.5 million contract extension for Cool Control Plus, an energy-efficiency program that has reduced electricity consumption in more than 150 small hotels and motels throughout the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) service area in northern and central California. Designed and managed by Honeywell Utility Solutions, Cool Control Plus provides lodging owners with free, energy-saving retrofits designed to eliminate wasteful use of air-conditioning and heating. The program was launched in 2006 and met the initial conservation target set by the utility—a 12-million-kilowatt-hour (kWh) savings in annual electricity use—a year ahead of schedule. Given the success...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Met-Tile, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The Ontario, Calif.-based company’s “tile panel” cool roofing features 10 designer colors that meet or exceed Energy Star requirements. It combines the popular look of tile with the light weight of metal, often saving on construction costs because substructure requirements are reduced. It also offers all-weather performance, including a 230+ miles per hour wind rating. Call (909) 947-0311, e-mail met-tile@met-tile.com, or go to www.met-tile.com.

DALLAS—Motel 6, the largest corporately owned and operated hotel chain in North America, has completed the rollout of the first national fluorescent light bulb and battery recycling program within the hospitality industry. Motel 6, with more than 900 properties across the country, is the first U.S. hotel chain to implement this type of recycling program at its corporate properties nationwide without a federal mandate. The program, which launched in June 2007, is a continuation of Accor’s Earth Guest initiatives that demonstrate Accor North America’s dedication to preserving the environment. “We have already embraced the national phasing out of incandescent light...

KOHALA COAST, HAWAII—Mauna Lani Resort has been named one of the “World’s Top Earth-Friendly Getaways” by Conde Nast Traveler magazine in its January 2008 issue. The award winning Big Island green resort was recognized as one of the world’s top luxury, eco-friendly beach destinations, and is the only beach resort in the United States named in the collection. “Since opening 25 years ago, Mauna Lani Resort has been at the forefront of environmental stewardship in the resort industry,” said Mark Glickman, director of resort marketing. “As we continue to add new amenities and programs, we always do so with an...