WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever Energy Star label for clothes dryers. If all residential clothes dryers sold in the United States meet these new requirements, the utility cost savings will grow to more than $1.5 billion each year and more than 22 billion pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented. Informed by extensive input from manufacturers, retailers, the U.S. Department of Energy and environmental groups, the new specifications will recognize a selection of highly efficient electric, gas, and compact dryers that will use approximately 20 percent less energy than what is required...

ITHACA, N.Y.—A landmark Cornell University study has compiled and analyzed industry-wide data to develop sustainability benchmarks for hotels in 30 geographic areas in China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Using these benchmarks, hotels in and near these 30 locations can see how they stack up against their peers. With data contributed by nine global hotel companies, the benchmark data collection and analysis effort focuses on two key components of sustainability: energy usage and carbon emissions. The report, “Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking,” by Howard G. Chong and Eric E. Ricaurte, is available at no charge from the Cornell Center...

HONG KONG—A prominent research consortium supported by the EarthCheck Research Institute (ERI), together with Ecolab (ECL) and Griffith University, recently released its second white paper on water, calling on the tourism industry—a heavy user of water—to act fast. The paper titled, “From Challenges to Solutions: Providing the Business Case,” shows that water and its combined effect with energy use could become the most contested resource of the future.Addressing more than 50 tourism industry professionals at a lecture at Eaton Hong Kong, Dr. Susanne Becken, a Professor of Sustainability from Australia’s Griffith University, said the tourism industry is at risk.“Tourism...

WILKES-BARRE, PA.—When King’s College purchased the downtown Ramada Inn in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. in late 2013, the 190-room hotel came with just about everything one would expect to come with a full-service hotel. The kitchen was fully stocked with appliances. The guestrooms still had furniture, linens, etc. Meeting rooms also still included furniture. The previous owner left just about everything for the new owner to remove—more than 4,500 items. King’s College had no intention of running a hotel; it purchased the property in order to convert it into a dormitory and administrative space. King’s College could have called on a...

NEW YORK—The Wyndham New Yorker Hotel has made tremendous strides over the past several years to support its eco-friendly initiatives. In honor of Earth Day, the iconic hotel recently recommitted itself to upholding these standards in an effort to preserve the environment. As the hotel embarks on a fresh look with the rollout of a five-year, multi-million dollar renovation that will modernize the 912-room property, it will continue to purchase energy produced by green power like solar, hydro or wind power. The hotel also buys carbon credits to offset the energy they purchase, which is produced by burning fossil fuels....

LAS VEGAS—On May 15, two finalist teams presented concepts for the 8th annual Radical Innovation Award in Las Vegas. Green Air and Hotel 2020 were selected by an esteemed jury—out of nearly 100 entrants from 28 countries. The hotels are meant to propose new solutions for real problems within the hospitality industry.This year, the jury prepared the contestants to present live at the Hospitality Design Expo where opposing jury members and conference attendees considered the feasibility of the future development of the concept. The creator of the Green Air project received the grand prize of $10,000 following a live...

LAS VEGAS—The Lighting Energy Efficiency in Parking (LEEP) Campaign has recognized MGM Resorts International for its dedication to sustainability and energy-efficient lighting. The company was recently honored with two Campaign awards: “Highest Absolute Annual Savings in a Retrofit at a Single Parking Structure” for a major lighting retrofit at MGM Grand Detroit, and “Largest Percentage of Facilities Upgraded (minimum of five facilities)” for MGM Facilities in Michigan and Nevada.LEEP is co-sponsored by the Business Owners and Management Association, Green Parking Council, International Facility Management Association and Better Buildings through the U.S. Department of Energy.“Our outdoor lighting projects are truly...

INDIANAPOLIS—Buckingham Companies and The Alexander, a Dolce Hotel, announced that they’ve been awarded LEED Silver certification in LEED’s New Construction & Major Renovations category. The Alexander is the only hotel in Indianapolis with LEED certification and is part of the 10-acre CityWay neighborhood, located at South and Delaware streets, developed by Buckingham Companies.“Sustainability was central to the vision for The Alexander and CityWay,” said Scott Travis, Senior Vice President of Development at Buckingham Companies. “From construction through completion, environmentally-friendly practices were a priority.”LEED is the primary program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. More than 44,000...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched USGBC+, a new magazine for its community of nearly 13,000 member organizations that are committed to USGBC’s mission to create sustainable buildings and communities for all within this generation.The magazine is available as a complimentary amenity for USGBC members, which range from small businesses to multinational corporations, local governments, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.“USGBC’s network of members, large and small, form the backbone of the worldwide movement toward high-performing green structures that serve as a pathway to a healthier planet, healthier people and healthier bottom lines,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) has chosen the J.W. Marriott Washington, D.C. as a 2014 Northeast Business Leader for Energy Efficiency for its efforts to grow the economy and protect the environment via its commitment to energy efficiency.In the nation’s capital, JW Marriott Washington, D.C. and Marriott International’s hotels of Washington, D.C. welcome tourists and professionals year-round. The hotels that serve these visitors are some of the largest consumers of energy in the city and present abundant opportunities for energy savings. Since 2012, Marriott International’s hotels of Washington, D.C. have worked with the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) to...