GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet Inc., a leading technology solutions provider for broadband networking, end-to-end service support and energy management, announced the implementation of several significant energy management projects with major USA-based automation and control solutions companies for an energy efficiency program with a major utility in California. These programs, which are expected to generate 2007 revenue in excess of $5 million for Telkonet, are projected to save millions of kilowatt hours per year, and were specifically designed to help the utility meet its state energy conservation goals by reducing energy consumption in hotel and motel rooms throughout the utility’s northern and central...

FIFE, WASH.—Premier Building Systems, North America’s largest manufacturer of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), offers an energy-efficient building product that has a 55 percent higher whole-wall efficiency than traditional two-by-six, R-19 construction. Consisting of a layer of expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS) sandwiched between two layers of oriented strand board, Premier’s SIP panels help building owners become eligible for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits that reward energy-efficient construction and design. Premier’s SIPs systems create a virtually airtight building envelope that offers unmatched energy efficiency and helps lower a building owner’s utility costs by up to 60 percent while...

CARLISLE, PA.—EcoStar, a leading manufacturer of premium steep slope roofing materials, is adding EcoVent to its line of premium accessories. EcoVent is a continuous tile-over ridge vent that efficiently removes hot, moist air from the attic space of a building. Vital to increasing the life span of a roof, EcoVent helps reduce cooling costs of a building while preventing moisture build-up in the attic space. EcoVent provides strength and offers durability and protection against rain, snow and ice, providing a breathable, yet efficient weather barrier in virtually every weather condition. Manufactured in 20-foot-long...

BRAINTREE, MASS.—Symmons, a manufacturer of commercial and residential plumbing products, has introduced its new Ultra-Sense S-6050 Series Sensor Activated Faucet. Designed for commercial and residential hand-washing applications, the S-6050 is a battery-powered, sensor-activated lavatory faucet equipped with self-adjusting infrared microchip technology. The S-6050 is easy to install and features solid-brass housing and a durable polycarbonate sensor lens to minimize vandalism. The S-6050 is crafted with a high-arc, long-reach profile for recessed mountings and features a 10-second factory-set cycle time and will “time out” by automatically shutting off if the sensor is blocked. The entire electronics and battery package is securely...

NATIONAL REPORT—In the areas of your hotel that guests rarely see—offices, kitchens, corridors, stairwells, storage rooms—there is no need to keep the lights burning 24 hours a day. Yes, in some hotels there is activity in those spaces around the clock but certainly not constantly. During those times when workers are not present, why not employ lighting control systems to turn out the lights, save energy and reduce costs? Inevitably, power plants will not have to work so hard, which means less pollution and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Carlos Villialobos, senior product manager for Wattstopper/Legrand in Santa Clara, Calif., says...

SINGAPORE—As part of the launch of the Energy Smart Building Labeling Program, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) and Energy Sustainability Unit (ESU)—an entity jointly supported by the School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore (NUS) and various Research Partners—has awarded The Regent Singapore, a Four Seasons Hotel, the country’s inaugural Energy Smart Hotel Award. This award accords recognition to buildings (and now includes hotels) in the top 25 percent of their class for achieving exemplary energy efficiency without compromising indoor environmental quality. Since the energy-efficiency label was launched in December 2005, The Regent Singapore has undergone rigorous testing...

DANVERS, MASS.—Osram Sylvania has announced its association with The Climate Project, the nonprofit organization founded by Al Gore in 2006, with the mission of training and supporting a diverse group of people to increase public awareness of and take action about the climate crisis at a grassroots level throughout the United States and abroad. The Climate Project has already trained more than 1,000 volunteers from every corner of the United States to present a version of the slide show on which the Academy Award-winning film, “An Inconvenient Truth” is based. Each volunteer commits to give 10 or more presentations a...

LAGRANGE, GA.—Milliken & Co., a carbon negative manufacturer, has launched an Energy Conservation Initiative focused on four action areas—People, Alternative Sources, Innovation and Green Building—to reduce energy consumption along with related emissions and water use. The Milliken Energy Conservation Initiative was announced during Respect Our Earth Day at Milliken Floor Covering in LaGrange, where proclamations from local and state officials acknowledge Milliken’s sustainable practices. Georgia Power will provide a Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) to each employee making the Energy Star pledge to switch from traditional light bulbs and is working with the company as the challenge expands statewide. ...

BOSTON—On September 1, the Jurys Boston Hotel will do what few other properties have done—offset 100 percent of its electricity consumption. The hotel will pay a premium of 6 percent for its electric power to Constellation NewEnergy, which in turn will purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from renewable generation sources in the United States. According to Stephen Johnston, general manager of the 225-room hotel, the step was taken because he and the hotel’s ownership team believed it was the right thing to do. Is paying 6 percent more for electricity an acceptable cost? If one considers the amount of savings...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The EPA has announced new specifications for two new commercial food service products—dishwashers and ice machines—that will earn the Energy Star label. More efficient commercial kitchen equipment can save restaurants and food service facilities from 10 to 30 percent on commercial kitchen energy consumption. “Energy efficiency is a top priority among restaurant owners and operators,” says Bob Meyers, EPA’s principal deputy assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. “We are pleased to deliver more options to save on energy costs and help protect the environment through two new commercial food service products earning the Energy Star.” The specifications cover several...