LAS VEGAS—Last July, when Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. announced its approximately $1 billion expansion of Caesars Palace—an addition that includes a new 665-room hotel tower and 263,000-square-foot meeting and convention center—it did not talk about one important element of the project: its pursuit of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. According to Eric Dominguez, Director of Energy and Environmental Services for Harrah’s, the LEED initiative is just one of many of the company’s efforts to build and operate in an environmentally responsible fashion. The new Caesars Palace hotel addition—named Octavius Tower for the...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. ranked among the top 10 on Computerworld magazine’s first-ever “Top 12 Green IT Companies” list. Marriott, the only hospitality company named, was recognized for IT energy conservation, IT recycling and reduction of carbon emissions. Marriott’s IT environmental achievements include: • Establishing Energy Star compliance standards for all IT assets; • Eliminating 25.6 tons of CO2 output annually by replacing printers; • Reducing IT energy consumption by utilizing server virtualization, resulting in the elimination of 300 servers; • Replacing 5,000 desktop PCs with thin client computers, reducing energy consumption by 50 percent per device; and • Archiving data, resulting in 65 percent reduction in power usage. “We...

AUBURN, N.H.—“If North Carolina implemented 85 percent cold-water washing using ozone at laundry facilities in colleges, universities, hotels and nursing homes statewide, the savings in water and natural gas could provide enough energy to run a city of 45,000 people for one year,” said Ralph Daniels, founder of Aqua Wing Ozone Injection Systems (AWOIS) LLC. Daniels was an invited speaker at the recent North Carolina State Energy Office Strategic Water Technology Conference, a meeting held in response to the state’s severe drought. Gov. Michael Easley tasked the North Carolina State Energy Office with investigating and recommending strategic measures for public...

NATIONAL REPORT—Years ago, before there were standards limiting water flow, hotel showers were kind of like Niagara Falls—fast and mighty. Today, for the most part, showerheads allow 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm) to funnel through to guests. Increasingly, because of environmental concerns such as drought, as well as a desire to trim recurring water and energy costs, hoteliers in every lodging segment are opting for low-flow showerheads that give up a miserly 2.0, 1,85, 1.75, 1.6 or 1.5 gpm. Every hotelier knows that one of the best ways to rankle a guest is to provide an inferior shower...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Finding energy efficient schools, supermarkets, offices, and other facilities throughout the country has become even easier for Americans interested in being green. Now they can find the Energy Star not only where they live but where they work, shop, play and learn. The number of commercial buildings and manufacturing plants to earn the Energy Star for superior energy efficiency is up by more than 25 percent in the past year, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions reduced has reached an all-time high of more than 25 billion pounds. “From a historic office tower in the Big Apple...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Watt Stopper/Legrand has developed lighting control solutions designed to enhance high-end, modern construction. The company’s newest commercial occupancy sensors incorporate sophisticated design details that make them aesthetically pleasing as well as easy to operate. At the same time, each package is manufactured to withstand the rigors of commercial use; both the robust housing and the control electronics are engineered for longevity. Watt Stopper/Legrand’s ceiling occupancy sensors sport a low profile design that virtually disappears into the ceiling tile to be as unobtrusive as possible. Wall switch occupancy sensors, featuring soft curves and an extremely low profile, are now...

NIANTIC, CONN.—When the Sandpearl Resort opened last August in Clearwater Beach, Fla., its developer had already determined that the property would serve as a prime example of how new developments can be built and equipped to be more energy-efficient and environment-friendly. Today, with substantial help from INNCOM international, Inc., that vision is becoming reality. Niantic-based INNCOM develops, manufactures and markets room automation systems for the international lodging industry. INNCOM’s product line ranges from programmable digital thermostats to fully integrated energy management, lighting control and communication systems—all designed to enhance guest comfort, safety and satisfaction while increasing bottom-line profits and being...

LAS VEGAS—Philips’ Eco FlatTV took home top honors recently at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show with the overall “Best in Show” in CNET’s “Best of CES” awards. The Eco TV (42PFL5603D) is a high-definition LCD television that delivers superb picture quality while minimizing power consumption. To qualify for “Best in Show,” the Eco TV won the television category for the “Best of CES” awards. The Eco TV is designed with power-saving features such as a proprietary dimming technology that is designed to lower the LCD panel backlight to reduce power consumption without compromising the picture quality. A built-in light...

RANDOLPH, VT.—LEDdynamics announced that it has received the Popular Science “Best of 2007 Innovation Award”—in the Green Tech category—for the EverLED-TR product line. The EverLED-TR is a fluorescent tube replacement which utilizes existing fluorescent ballasts while achieving the equivalent light output of the tube it replaces, making it the world’s first true LED replacement for linear fluorescent lighting. “While the LEDdynamics team is honored to win this award, we feel that it is really a victory for the entire LED industry,” said William McGrath, president and CTO for LEDdynamics. “Popular Science has recognized the environmental cost of disposing of 680...

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...