DURHAM, N.C.—As part of its ongoing mission to drive 100 percent adoption of LED lighting, Cree, Inc. has earned Energy Star qualification for its soft white Cree LED Bulbs. Energy Star qualification signifies these Cree LED Bulbs now qualify for incentive rebates through certain local utilities. Not only do the Energy Star qualified Cree LED Bulbs look and light like traditional incandescent bulbs, use 84 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than typical incandescents, but now they will be even more affordable in select markets with utility rebates.“Energy Star qualification can enable the Cree LED Bulbs to...

ATLANTA—The Acuity Brands, Inc. Carlisle, Penn. manufacturing and distribution center has achieved zero landfill status, as certified by Link International, a California-based full-service waste and recyclable commodities company. This is the second Acuity Brands manufacturing and distribution site to operate as a zero landfill plant. Waste generated by the Carlisle plant is now recycled or composted.“We are thrilled to implement the zero landfill process at a second site within our plant facilities network,” said Derek Nelson, Vice President, Northeast Operations at Acuity Brands Lighting. “As a manufacturer of products that help reduce energy waste, it is important to us...

TROY, N.Y.—The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently released an interactive video that offers guidance about selecting and installing LED lighting. The video was designed for contractors, builders, electricians, and others who professionally install LED lighting. Topics include product selection, advantages and challenges of LED products, economic calculations, installation tips, and links to other available resources. Viewers can earn professional continuing education credits by watching the video and using the interactive features. The project was funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). “Our goal with this video is to provide guidance for...

BLOOMINGTON, MINN.—The 500-room Radisson Blu Mall of America was green out of the gate when it opened in March this year just next to the bustling 520-store Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. A highly energy efficient building, typical of all new Radisson Blu properties, it is on its way to be the first hotel in Minnesota to achieve LEED certification.While the hotel is the second Radisson Blu in the United States, all future hotels will strive for LEED certification.“Why would we do it any other way?” says Ted Lorenzi, Senior Director of Technical Services, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel...

DANVERS, MASS.—Osram Sylvania is offering a full portfolio of Sylvania ULTRA 25 LED lamps that offer energy and cost savings and a 2500K color temperature. The ULTRA 25 LED portfolio includes lamp types most often found in ambient, accent and decorative luminaires in hospitality settings such as B10, B13, BR40, PAR20, PAR30 and MR16 lamps.These energy efficient replacements for traditional incandescent and halogen lamps offer up to 86 percent energy savings, are phase-cut dimmable down to 10 percent and have a rated lamp life of up to 25,000 hours.Of particular note is the first to market Sylvania ULTRA B13...

NEW YORK—MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and Delos, a real estate developer, have decided to expand Stay Well, their wellness hotel room concept. After a positive guest response and growing demand since launching in October 2012, Stay Well at MGM Grand is quadrupling its Stay Well room count from 42 to 171 rooms and suites, encompassing the entire 14th floor of the hotel’s main tower.“The success of the Stay Well rooms exemplifies the large consumer demand and appetite for a healthier, wellness-oriented travel experience,” said Delos founder Paul Scialla. “We are thrilled to expand the Stay...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The green team at Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Washington, D.C. has had a lot to smile about lately. The hotel was presented with the Technology Innovation, Medium Property award earlier this summer by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. That honor followed last year’s Mayor’s Sustainability Award. More importantly, in the last two years the hotel has completed a long list of projects—$2.4 million worth—that have resulted in a drop of 48 percent in utility costs, 24 percent reduction in energy use, 31 percent reduction in energy rates, and 32 percent drop in water consumption.Getting to its current operating...

ATLANTA—ASHRAE announced its next High Performance Buildings Conference will take place April 7 to 8, 2014, at Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco. Building upon the 2012 High Performance Buildings Conference and 2009 Net-Zero Energy Conference, the conference seeks to advance the industry’s efforts to accomplish a true high-performance built environment. “The 2014 HPB Conference provides a unique opportunity for dialog among attendees to facilitate understanding of current indoor environmental quality and energy saving efforts and to share best practices for achieving high-performance buildings,” Kent Peterson, conference chair, said. The conference topics provide a comprehensive overview of high performance building...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc., a leader in energy-efficient lighting and control solutions, announced the launch of its new LSXR Fixture-Mount Sensor from Sensor Switch. This sensor offers up to four interchangeable lenses and an integrated, adjustable mounting bracket, making it ideal for both high-mount and low-mount lighting control applications.“The LSXR sensor is an innovative solution for many of our customers’ most common applications,” said Ben Hahn, Acuity Brands Lighting Vice President and Value Stream Leader for Sensor Switch. “Due to its built-in versatility and flexibility, the LSXR sensor offers optimal performance for varying mounting heights and fixture types.  So, whether...

CHICAGO—The Drake Hotel’s landmark rooftop neon sign will be replaced with environmentally friendly Sloan LED lighting with the help of Olympic Signs of Lombard (Ill.). Licensed by the EPA, Olympic Signs will dispose of the antiquated neon piping that used to adorn the 20-foot “The Drake” sign. Thus, neon’s 70-year run illuminating Lake Shore Drive officially ends.The new and improved sign will be the first of its kind. Olympic Signs president Robert Whitehead, whose company is known for green energy, has led his team in the production of a new mold, a new source of energy and a new...