WASHINGTON, D.C.—EPA has updated its Top Green Power Purchasers list highlighting organizations committed to purchasing green power. The National Top 25 list of Green Power Partners accounts for more than 6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year of green power purchasing, more than 60 percent of the total kWh in the Green Power Partnership; reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 700,000 vehicles. “America is shifting to a ‘green culture,’ with more and more businesses understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility,” says Marcus Peacock, EPA’s Deputy Administrator. “EPA commends the leading Green Power Partners for making...

TORONTO—A firm advocate of sustainable energy, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced its continued involvement with the Pembina Institute, a leading non-profit environmental organization that actively promotes sustainable energy solutions. As part of this ongoing commitment, Fairmont is expanding the program in 2007 to include all of its corporate office computers across North America. Since 2006, Fairmont has purchased an equivalent of 390 MwH of wind power to offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated by all of its front desk check-in computers. Made possible by purchasing Eco-Logo certified wind power, Fairmont will now have a total of 837 computers...

Beginning January 1, 2008, state agency and department employees in Florida will be required to stay at Florida Green Lodging hotels when they travel. An Executive Order was recently issued by Governor Charlie Crist. Florida currently has 25 hotels certified as Green Lodging properties with 46 applications in process. Because of the governor’s decision, you can be sure that even more hotels will be signing up for the program soon. As reported on Green Lodging News this week, there are now eight states that have green lodging programs with some type of certification. Lodging establishments that participate in these programs...

NEW PORT RICHEY, FLA.—The use of “green” products is growing in U.S. restaurant operations, and ice machines lead the way in energy-saving food and beverage equipment purchases. That’s according to an online Enodis survey of restaurant operators. Enodis asked operators to identify the categories of energy-efficient products they had purchased over the past two years. Eighty six percent of respondents indicated they had purchased some form of energy-saving food or beverage equipment in the past two years. Thirty one percent of respondents to the online survey reported purchasing energy-saving ice machines. Energy-saving products are a growing trend in the foodservice...

BOSTON—The Doubletree Guest Suites Boston has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s prestigious Energy Star, the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy performance. By earning the Energy Star, the Doubletree Guest Suites Boston is using at least 35 percent less energy than average buildings, while still providing quality service and comfort to its hotel guests and employees. Located near some of the nation’s finest universities overlooking the scenic Charles River and Boston Esplanade recreational trails with panoramic views of the Boston and Cambridge skylines, this upscale, 308-suite hotel joins approximately 930 buildings nationwide that earned the Energy...

CHICAGO—Meiko USA Inc.’s exclusive Waste Air Heat Recovery System reclaims waste heat generated by its warewashing machines as free energy, and uses it to preheat the incoming rinse water. This conserves energy and provides hot water sanitization from a cold water supply. The exclusive Waste Air Heat Recovery System is a standard feature on all K-Tronic series rack conveyors, and is an option for all B-US Series flight-type conveyors. In addition to the financial benefits for the consumer, the Waste Air Heat Recovery System provides environmental benefits. Exhaust air is dramatically cooled to reduce its impact on the environment. Because...

MINNEAPOLIS—Honeywell has introduced Roof Top Retro Commissioning, a service that improves the efficiency of roof top units (RTUs) used to heat and cool commercial facilities, and lowers the cost of operating this equipment by 5 to 20 percent on average. RTUs are one of the main energy consumers in a facility, and mechanical problems and poor maintenance can greatly increase utility bills. The Roof Top Retro Commissioning service centers on a handheld diagnostic tool—Honeywell Service Assistant—that pinpoints problems, suggests service work and displays the anticipated payback. Specifically, the tool calculates equipment energy use, capacity and cost-savings potential to optimize performance...

COVINGTON, GA.—Covington, Ga.-based Peachtree Lighting, a leader in very low energy highly efficient architectural luminaries, has introduced a new family of small wall mounted sconces that use a new LED light source. LED light sources have in the past two years accelerated miniaturization of lighting equipment used for modern architectural lighting. The LEDO series is a slender, clean accent wall luminaire only 10" x 6" x 1 ¾" deep, easily complying with ADA requirements. It creates a soft up and down lighting pattern that is both functional and decorative. Typically, normal ceiling height ceilings and corridors have presented issues for architects...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Almost 100 years old, the historic Meier & Frank department store here is being converted to a 331-room Starwood Luxury Collection hotel called The Nines. The upper nine floors will be the home for the hotel; the lower five floors are being refurbished by Macy’s, Inc. and will open as a Macy’s department store. The Nines, which is being developed by Denver-based Sage Hospitality Resources, has Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification as its goal. The hotel is slated to open in summer 2008. SERA Architects, Inc., Portland, Ore., is the architectural firm on the project...

DIAMOND BAR, CALIF.—SteamSuite, a high-end steam shower manufacturer, has created an amenity that provides guests with a relaxing spa environment in the privacy of their own room, while also enabling hotels to save exponentially on their water bill while adding an up-charge to guests’ overall room charges. “Steam bathing is clinically proven to release toxins from the body, improve respiration and circulation, and ease tense muscles,” says SteamSuite president Jari Ristola. “The benefits of steam not only improve a guest’s experience at your hotel, but encourage them to return.” It is a fact that the steam shower is a more functional...