WISCONSIN DELLS, WISC.—Kalahari Resorts’ long-standing commitment to energy efficient operations continues as it adds the AquaRecycle system, a laundry water recycling and filtration system which will allow Kalahari Resorts to reuse 70 percent of its laundry water. The AquaRecycle system’s chemical-free filtration and treatment recycle process will provide clean, disinfected and pre-heated water to the laundry systems at Kalahari Resort properties in Wisconsin Dells, Wisc., Sandusky, Ohio, and eventually a third resort in Fredericksburg, Va. Home to a 740-room hotel in Wisconsin and an 884-room hotel in Ohio, Kalahari Resorts estimates the AquaRecycle system, which is expected to be operating...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Milliken & Co., long recognized for sustainable leadership and environmental stewardship, has launched its second partnership to harvest methane as an alternative energy source. Spartanburg County approved the initiative on the eve of Earth Day 2008, April 21. “Milliken is constantly seeking ways to conserve energy and to reduce our footprint,” said Richard Dillard, director of public affairs for Milliken. “With the success of our methane program in LaGrange, Ga., Spartanburg County immediately realized the benefit of this proposal to the local government, our community, Milliken, and ultimately the Earth.” Spartanburg County will be responsible for...

BOULDER, COLO.—The Renewable Energy in Tourism Initiative (RETI) has recently developed a set of Best Practices in Renewable Energy for the tourism industry. They can be downloaded for free and public input is strongly encouraged. These RETI best practice manuals were developed to feature industry leaders that have adopted best practices in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and to provide information and guidance to businesses of all sizes interested in realizing these benefits. Through the use of case studies, each manual outlines renewable energy adoption strategies and highlights that maximize energy efficiency, minimize environmental impacts, and result in cost savings...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes American DG Energy as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Waltham, Mass.-based American DG Energy’s On-Site Utility provides clean energy in the form of electricity, heat, hot water and cooling at a guaranteed discount rate. The energy is produced with small-scale combined heat and power (CHP) equipment located at the property site, but owned and operated by American DG Energy. Hotels have no capital costs for the equipment. Turnkey installations are available. Call (781) 522-6000, e-mail info@americandg.com, or go to www.americandg.com.

AMES, IOWA—Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. has expanded its sustainability product offering to include the industry leading educational touchscreen kiosk software, GreenTouchscreen, developed by Quality Attributes Software, Inc. (QAS). Siemens selected QAS technology so that it could offer its customers a powerful but accessible interface that displays energy consumption data and real-time interactive analysis. By presenting live building energy consumption data on the GreenTouchscreen kiosk in the foyer of the building, Siemens can reveal “hidden” energy conservation measures to building occupants. As people become aware of the energy they use and better educated as to its environmental impact, they just might...

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—With zero money out of pocket and utilizing existing systems and equipment, the nine-floor, 273-room Colorado Springs Marriott reduced its electricity consumption by 18 percent from April 1, 2007 to April 1, 2008. In kilowatt hours, the decline was 815,000; in dollars the savings was $57,000—the equivalent of more than two months in electricity bills. How did they do it? By doing simple things such as turning lights and air conditioners off when they are not being used, re-calibrating thermostats, and emphasizing staff training. When Brian Healy took over as director of engineering at the Colorado Springs Marriott...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Aquawing Ozone Injection Systems (AWOIS) as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. AWOIS’ patented Aqua-Fusion System provides energy and water savings along with an increase in wash quality. Patent pending variable ozone allows the Aqua-Fusion ozone laundry system to customize the amounts of ozone delivered to each washer. More heavily soiled laundry receives more ozone and lighter loads receive reduced amounts for maximum cleaning and saving effects. AWOIS’ Aqua-Fusion System reduces hot water usage, shortens wash cycles, increases linen quality while reducing linen replacement costs, and provides...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—Universal Lighting Technologies announces the latest in high efficiency wireless controllable lighting systems with the release of the DEMANDflex ballast family and DCL (Demand Control Lighting) controls. DEMANDflex ballasts feature an innovative wireless control technology to receive commands without the need for extra control wires. These ballasts have the flexibility to have power levels tuned during installation at the circuit level to optimize and maximize energy savings. Together, DEMANDflex ballasts and DCL controls represent one of the most cost-effective lighting systems available today. DCL controls allow for local control with energy management systems and external control via the...

LAS VEGAS—The Palazzo Las Vegas, a Las Vegas Sands Corp. property, announced that the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) made its green status official with the presentation of a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certificate at an award ceremony held on Wednesday, April 9. Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons and David E. Rodgers, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency at the U.S. Department of Energy, were also on hand to honor this accomplishment. During the ceremony Governor Gibbons issued a proclamation in recognition of The Palazzo’s commitment to energy conservation. The DOE presented The Palazzo with “The Energy...

SAN FRANCISCO—The Hotel Carlton in San Francisco, certified as an official Green Business due to several initiatives over the past year to implement sustainable business operations, is celebrating its newest green achievement—the adoption of solar power to offset the hotel’s energy use. Managed by Joie de Vivre Hospitality, Hotel Carlton is the first hotel in San Francisco to install solar panels and the first of the boutique hotel company’s properties to receive the City’s Green Business certification. In honor of Earth Day and a greener future, Hotel Carlton will host a reception event on April 21 that will feature...