WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, has moved into new offices in Washington, D.C. The new offices and workstations are positioned to maximize day lighting, and all light fixtures were selected for their quality of light and high energy efficiency. Of the energy consumed, 100 percent is offset by renewable sources. The materials chosen are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible. For example, salvaged wood timbers create a screen forest wall for an elliptical conference room, and rapidly renewable bamboo, linoleum, and...

DAWSONVILLE, GA.—Project Planet Corp. and the Willard InterContinental Washington were recently featured on Channel 4 NBC in Washington, D.C. The “Going Green” news segment focused on the many ways the hotel has greened its operations, including the implementation of Project Planet’s linen and towel reuse program. Project Planet’s program is helping the hotel in many ways: reduced water consumption, lower energy costs and a reduction in the need for laundry chemicals. “We applaud the the hotel’s efforts and wish them big savings with the program,” says Karmen Pharris, sales and marketing director for Dawsonville, Ga.-based Project Planet....

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes USA Technologies Inc., Malvern, Pa., as a sponsor. The company’s VendingMiser reduces beverage vending machine electricity use by up to 46 percent and can help existing machines perform to Energy Star specification levels. Other USA Technologies products that produce similar savings include: VM2iQ for vending machines; CoolerMiser & CM2iQ for glass-front coolers; SnackMiser for snack machines; and PlugMiser for plug-in equipment. Be sure to ask the company about available rebates. USA Technologies can be reached at (888) 521-6982, or by e-mail at jgroff@usatech.com. Go to...

CARROLLTON, TEXAS—Accor North America, one of the largest hotel chain owners and operators in North America, was recently recognized as an Energy Star Leader by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for improving energy efficiency across its Red Roof Inn, Studio 6 and Motel 6 properties. Energy Star Leaders are recognized as part of the EPA’s Energy Star Building Challenge, a program encouraging building owners and managers to reduce energy use by 10 percent or more. As part of the Energy Star Building Challenge, Accor North America joined 20 others as Energy Star Leaders recognized for improving the...

LEAVENWORTH, WASH.—Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat was recently presented with the 2006 Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Practices. Governor Christine Gregoire recently presented the award to Sleeping Lady, along with four other businesses and a not-for-profit group, in Olympia. The 2006 award marks the second Governor’s Award for Sleeping Lady, with their first win in 2001. This year’s honor was the Continuing Excellence award, which recognizes the retreat’s continued commitment to the high standards that garnered it the award five years ago. “We are obviously honored, and are grateful that this award exists, to help get the word out about...

NATIONAL REPORT—Even though energy prices have dropped recently, there is no good reason to put off investing in a guestroom energy management system. It just makes too much sense to have one. With heating and cooling accounting for 40 to 80 percent of a property’s monthly expenses, many systems can cut those costs by 25 to 45 percent. What is hot in guestroom energy management technology? There really are only a handful of major players in the lodging market. Several of those companies have added wireless options to their wired systems. Others have introduced Web-based interfaces to give users the...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Maytag Commercial Laundry introduces its Energy Advantage On-Premises Drying Tumblers. They benefit operators by lowering energy costs and benefit employees with simple one-touch controls. Available in 30-, 50- and 75-lb. capacities, Energy Advantage On-Premises Drying Tumblers efficiently dry bulky loads to ensure a constant supply of clean linens. The tempered glass door combined with a dryer drum designed with air holes in the back only, forces heated air through clothes to reduce drying time. This results in a reduction of energy costs and less employee downtime. Energy Advantage On-Premises Drying Tumblers come standard with microprocessor controls,...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—Universal Lighting Technologies introduces the latest addition to the Basic-12 family of ballasts with the B260IUNVHP for use with F96T12 and energy-saving F96T12ES lamps. This new Basic-12 ballast is designed to replace traditional magnetic T12 ballasts in existing or new fixtures while reducing energy consumption by more than 15 percent. Basic-12 ballasts provide the same amount of light as magnetic T12 ballasts with reduced operating costs and improved lamp performance. Plus, electronic ballasts are significantly quieter than their magnetic counterparts. Basic-12 ballasts fully comply with today’s new federal ballast efficiency requirements for installation into new fixtures as...

NEW YORK—Last week’s International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, which drew more than 35,000 people, was packed with innovative products to help hoteliers clean naturally, save energy and water, and minimize waste generation. Also on hand were vendors offering everything from environmentally friendly wall coverings to nontoxic tub refinishing. Here are a just a few highlights from the 1,250 companies who exhibited at the lodging industry’s No. 1 trade event. Action Comax Environmental Inc., Newark, N.J., introduced its BioX high-volume organic waste decomposition system. Inside of a large steel container, food waste is broken down to liquid through biological decompostion. It...

VANCOUVER—Florida’s Fairmont Turnberry Hotel has chosen Energex Inc. to design and build its proprietary guestroom energy management solution. “Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a leader in hotel management,” says Rami Y. Belson, president and c.e.o. of Energex Inc. “It is another solid vote of confidence in favor of our technology.” The Energex SentryWatt system is based on advanced passive infrared occupancy sensors which are installed in each guestroom and adjusts the temperature according to the room occupancy status. If guests leave the rooms with the HVAC running, the sensors automatically reset the room temperature to a more...