SANDUSKY, OHIO—Several hundred waterpark resort developers from across the United States, Mexico and Canada are expected to meet in Sandusky, Ohio on February 27-29 to learn about developing and financing indoor waterparks as part of mixed-use resort projects. Saving energy will be the No. 1 topic on the agenda. Waterpark industry consultant Bill Haralson of William L. Haralson & Associates in Alto, N.M., and retractable roof expert Bart Riberich of Uni-Systems LLC of Minneapolis, are co-producers of this third annual event called “Developing & Financing Hotel Waterpark Resorts.” “Tom Kiser, known as America’s energy coach, is the keynote speaker at...

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.—The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel has joined a list of elite organizations to earn the Energy Star Label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its efforts to conserve water and energy and protect the environment. Some of the ways the hotel is going green include: changing to energy efficient lighting and energy star efficient appliances, converting to a computerized energy management system, offering daily energy saving tips to all hotel cast members, and monitoring the property daily to make sure these systems are in place and working properly. The EPA’s list of Energy Star Leaders has grown...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Can surfing the Web help protect the environment and save you money? Yes, and it is as simple as buying one of the new Energy Star qualified computer products. With more than 500 newly qualified product models already on the shelves, there are many options for home and work that will reduce your energy bill and greenhouse gas emissions. “As the driver of America’s technology revolution, the innovative spirit of the computer industry is now powering our energy revolution,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “Thanks to the new Energy Star specifications for computers, today’s consumers can be...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Watt Stopper/Legrand announced a companywide initiative to make all aspects of the organization more environmentally friendly. President Jerry Mix kicked off Watt Stopper Green during a nationwide conference call, outlining ambitious goals that go well beyond the company’s long-time tradition of putting a stop to energy waste. As a leading manufacturer of energy saving products, he believes it is important that the company minimize its own environmental impact. Mix announced the Watt Stopper Green initiative with the following goals: • Manufacture products using environmentally sensitive techniques; • Continue to develop products that help customers save energy; • Improve resource conservation within all company...

KINGSTON, ONTARIO—Bill Allinson, one of the owners of the Confederation Place Hotel here, was skeptical at first when approached several years ago about installing a $52,000 rooftop solar water heating system. At the time he thought that money could be better spent on FF&E, marketing and other necessities. Eventually, he changed his mind and now the 95-room property is benefiting big time from a system he describes as almost maintenance-free. With the help of a federal grant, which took care of 25 percent of the system’s cost, a 20-panel rooftop system was installed on the hotel’s roof in November 2005....

PALO ALTO, CALIF.—Energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems are becoming increasingly important in North America in light of the current drive to conserve energy, make buildings “green,” and enhance indoor air quality (IAQ). New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, “North American Energy Recovery Ventilation Market,” found that this market earned revenues of $324.6 million in 2006 and it is expected to reach $778.7 million in 2012. “ERV is a growing segment within the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) market, particularly in northern tier winter heating zones and areas with warmer and high humidity climatic conditions,” says Frost & Sullivan research...

KINGSTON, JAMAICA—In a special communication to member hotels, the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) last month announced its decision to support an occupancy surcharge intended to help its members combat the rising costs of energy. Effective December 15, when Jamaica’s winter season officially began, hotels have the option of adding a surcharge to their nightly room rates, with the amount to be individually determined by each property. Hotels were advised to base the amount on market assessment and cost structure; a maximum of $10 per room, per night, was recommended. JHTA president Wayne Cummings spoke in a recent...

OSHKOSH, WISC.—Continental Girbau has unveiled the new M-Series hard-mount line of washer-extractors, available in 25-, 40- and 55-pound capacities. The new M-Series Washers deliver improved energy efficiency and higher G-force extract speeds than many hard-mount washers on the market, according to Joel Jorgensen, vice president of sales and customer services at Continental. “M-Series Washers are built using the same manufacturing platform as our high-performance E-Series Washers,” Jorgensen said. “They share many of the same components including the control systems—resulting in a higher performance hard-mount washer with unrivaled energy efficiency. This will save on-premise laundries gas, water and electricity. Superior programmability...

GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet, Inc., a leading technology solutions provider for broadband networking, end-to-end service support and energy management, announced that it has been awarded a $3.8 million dollar contract by InTown Suites for the intelligent Telkonet SmartEnergy (TSE) energy management system. Under the contract, Telkonet will install TSE products in 125 InTown Suites locations across the United States, as an integral component in the organization’s ongoing commitment to achieving increased energy efficiencies at their properties. Commencing in January 2008, Telkonet will begin an aggressive implementation of the scheduled installations to ensure completion of this initiative within a six-month time frame. Telkonet was...

GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet, Inc., a leading technology solutions provider for broadband networking, end-to-end service support and energy management, announced that Jason Tienor has been named president and CEO, and Dottie Cleal has been promoted to COO effective immediately. These appointments mark an important phase of change and opportunity for the company, and cement the long-term strategy initiated in August 2007 to drive Telkonet forward in an expanding marketplace. Under this new leadership, Telkonet is embarking on a key phase of development, encompassing a number of critical technical, personnel, integrational and operational changes. Key objectives for Jason Tienor and Dottie Cleal include...