TORONTO—Days Inns-Canada announced its participation in the HAC Green Key Eco-Rating Program administered by the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC). Days Inns-Canada is the first midscale hotel chain to participate in the program as a brandwide initiative. Through the HAC Green Key Eco-Rating Program, Days Inns’ 87 locations across Canada are committed to maximizing efficiency by enhancing energy performance while also reducing operating costs. The brand expects that most of its properties will receive their Green Key rating by the end of 2006. “As active supporters of the HAC Green Key Eco-Rating Program, Days Inns-Canada is dedicated...

BOSTON—A new ZigBee wireless environmental automation system is enabling hotels and other facilities to eliminate energy waste and slash energy costs up to 40 percent. Invented by Riga Development, the new WiSuite Environmental Management System uses Ember’s ZigBee wireless networking technology to let property owners automate and control the energy efficiency of every room, without compromising the comfort of occupants. ZigBee is a global wireless industry standard designed for remote monitoring, control and sensor networks. WiSuite yields huge savings by dramatically reducing wasteful electric and fuel consumption of HVAC systems. Because it’s wireless, WiSuite can be retrofitted...

DANBURY, CONN.—FuelCell Energy Inc., a manufacturer of ultra-clean and efficient electric power plants for commercial and industrial customers, announced it has been named to the prestigious Deloitte Connecticut Technology Fast 50, a ranking of the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the state by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. Rankings are based on the percentage revenue growth over five years from 2001 through 2005. “We are delighted to gain Deloitte’s recognition,” says R. Daniel Brdar, FuelCell Energy president and c.e.o. “Connecticut is a great incubator for a leading edge business like ours and it is an honor to be...

BOSTON—Formed a year ago as an outgrowth of the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions (CERC), Boston Green Tourism (BGT) is working to position America’s Walking City as the place to go to find green hotels and meeting facilities. The organization already has 76 active members including hoteliers, restaurateurs, vendors, and convention center and government officials. “It is a three-year project,” says Dan Ruben, executive director of BGT, who as executive director of CERC led efforts to green America’s two political conventions in 2004. The goals of BGT are four-fold: • Establish Greater Boston as a preeminent...

LAS VEGAS—Power Efficiency Corp., a developer and manufacturer of advanced energy savings technologies for electric motors, announced it closed initial sales of its Power Genius energy saving technology to three prominent Las Vegas casinos. “We believe these initial sales to three casinos, which are owned by different national casino groups, are the beginning of a broader adoption of our technology by the gaming and hospitality industry,” says Steven Strasser, Power Efficiency’s chairman and c.e.o. “These sales follow previously announced tests at these three facilities. The tests, which were verified by the local utility, confirmed the Power Genius saved...

SYRACUSE, N.Y.—Carrier Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp., announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has approved its E20-II Hourly Analysis Program (HAP) v4.31 for calculating and certifying energy savings. Commercial building owners and leaseholders can now use the software to receive energy efficiency tax deductions under the Energy Policy Act (EPACT) 2005. To date, HAP is one of only four software programs to receive this approval. EPACT 2005 allows commercial building owners and leaseholders to claim a federal tax deduction for installing energy efficient equipment. Under the act, all energy savings claims must also be...

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYO.—Taking a green vacation just became easier with Grand Teton Lodge Company’s (GTLC) announcement that it will offset 100 percent of its energy use by purchasing clean, renewable wind-generated energy. By purchasing energy credits equal to the company’s entire electricity use, GTLC becomes one of the largest purchasers of wind power in Wyoming. In 2003, GTLC led the way in promoting alternative energy sources in the state by becoming one of the first Wyoming businesses to purchase wind-generated electricity, securing the equivalent power to run Jenny Lake Lodge annually. The company will work with...

DANBURY, CONN.—FuelCell Energy Inc., a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean and efficient electric power plants for commercial and industrial customers, announced the sale of a 750-kilowatt generating plant to a premier hospitality and entertainment resort, making it FuelCell Energy’s third hotel and lodging site in California. The unit was sold through FuelCell Energy’s distribution partner, Alliance Power Inc. The facility will use the Direct FuelCell (DFC) power plant to provide base load power around the clock for hotel operations, and will transform the plant’s heat byproduct into hot water for the guests, adding to the system’s overall operating efficiency....

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Yesterday was Energy Star’s Seventh Annual Change a Light Day. It was the day Saint Charles-based Pineapple Hospitality saluted its clients who already have replaced 75,000 incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents this year. “In just the first nine months of 2006, our lodging lighting retrofits have saved a combined 6.8 million kilowatt hours, which is the equivalent of planting 1,332 acres of forest and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 10 million pounds,” says Ray Burger, president of Saint Charles, Mo.-based Pineapple Hospitality. “These green retrofits, which literally are as simple as changing out a few...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Energy Star label for refrigerated vending machines is now available for thousands of vending machines rebuilt and reinstalled with more efficient components, EPA announced recently. The new Energy Star specification is expected to save end users more than $2 million in the first year alone. Initially, Energy Star qualified rebuilt machines will potentially be an average of 40 percent more efficient than conventional models. Each machine can save end users an average of 1,600 kWh and $130 a year on their utility bill. On July 1, 2007, when more stringent Energy Star requirements become effective, Energy Star qualified...