WASHINGTON, D.C.—According to the latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects, renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) accounted for 37.16 percent of all new domestic electrical generating capacity installed during calendar-year 2013 for a total of 5,279 MW.  That is more than three times that provided for the year by coal (1,543 MW—10.86 percent), oil (38 MW—0.27 percent), and nuclear power (0 MW—0.00 percent) combined. However, natural gas dominated 2013 with 7,270 MW of new capacity (51.17 percent). Waste heat provided the balance of new generating capacity—76 MW...

ATLANTA—Ensuring sustainability of ecosystems through protection of plants, soil and water and increased habitat for native birds and insects is the goal of proposed requirements to the green building standard from ASHRAE, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).“The intent of the proposal is to maintain or restore a minimum level of biodiversity including bio-diverse plantings, native plants and limited turfgrass,” Anthony Floyd, a member of the Standard 189.1 committee, said. “Supporting and maintaining the biodiversity is critical to the long term health and sustainability of ecosystems of which humans and all life depend...

OCEANSIDE, CALIF.—The 149-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Oceanside, Calif., is oficially open for business. The SpringHill Suites San Diego Oceanside/Downtown will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by GF Properties Group, LLC and managed by Sage Hospitality of Denver. The hotel has been designed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. It is the newest SpringHill Suites to join the portfolio of Marriott properties that are designed to LEED standards, a voluntary rating program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that provides third-party verification of green building. The SpringHill Suites San Diego Oceanside/Downtown is a...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—Orlando’s newest lifestyle hotel—B Resort, located in the Walt Disney World Resort—is offering local artists and galleries the opportunity to showcase original works in its hotel. The resort is accepting submissions, now through March 15, from artists who wish to participate in this innovative program.The new “B Artistic Exhibit” will showcase the vibrant local art scene to travelers who come from around the world to Orlando’s bustling Tourism Corridor. Selected works from Central Florida’s artists and galleries will be prominently displayed in the pre-function area of the expansive meeting spaces. Guests will be able to purchase...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Assn. is calling on restaurant operators to participate in an online survey regarding how much unused food is donated, composted, or sent to landfills and other waste disposal facilities. The information gathered will be used to help develop new ways to reduce food waste in the industry. “Food sent to a landfill represents lost opportunities to improve management efficiencies, to reduce operating costs, to feed the hungry, to recover valuable resources, and to realize other benefits,” said Laura Abshire, the NRA’s Director of Sustainability Policy and Government Affairs. “To help reverse this pattern, the National Restaurant...

SHAWANO, WIS.—The NEWH Sustainable Hospitality Committee announces the return of Green Voice Conversations during the upcoming HD Expo in Las Vegas, May 14 to 16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The live sessions will feature a combination of one-on-one interviews in The Social Hub booth #1955 during show hours open to all show attendees and a CEU-accredited panel discussion in the HD conference meeting rooms for paid conference pass holders.Green Voice is now in its third year, continuing to grow in scope and popularity each year. This year's sessions feature eight industry experts actively involved in sustainable practices...

EDMONTON, ALBERTA—The Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) officially unveiled its new Sustainability Wall, which showcases a vertical garden by local horticulture company Greenjeans. The garden adds color and visual interest to its location on the pedway level across from Hall D. In addition to the garden, the wall highlights a number of sustainable initiatives at the SCC and throughout the City of Edmonton.“This unique showpiece helps tell our sustainability story,” said Cliff Higuchi, Vice President and General Manager of the Shaw Conference Centre. “The convention centre’s location allows us to connect a thriving downtown with the historic river valley, using...

BURNABY, B.C.—According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 400 billion KW of hot water goes down the drain annually in the United States—roughly $40 billion worth of energy at an average cost of $.10/KW. A great deal of that energy loss occurs in hotels—where energy is uncaptured from greywater from showers and baths, sinks, dishwashers, laundry, etc. Energy is also lost in the blackwater coming from toilets. One company, International Wastewater Systems, has developed a system it calls SHARC (which stands for sewer heat recovery) to capture and reuse heat that typically is lost to the sewage system.International Wastewater...

SALEM, ORE.—Travel Oregon, in partnership with Sustainable Travel International (STI), will give more than $36,000 to projects throughout the state that improve the environment, support local culture and enrich the destination for future visitors through the Oregon Travel Philanthropy Fund (OTPF). Travel Oregon and STI also announced a new group of recipients for funds to be distributed in 2015 and 2016.OTPF is the first statewide program of its kind. The goal of the program is to improve experiences for visitors and locals by connecting them to participating businesses that directly improve and enhance Oregon communities.“Travel Oregon continually strives to...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide announced that it will cease serving shark fin and stop accepting new orders for shark fin dishes by April 1, 2014. The ban covers all restaurants and food and beverage (F&B) facilities operated by its 96 owned and managed properties across Asia Pacific.In December 2012, the company first removed shark fin from menus across all restaurants and F&B facilities operated by its managed properties in China and Southeast Asia, only serving it on request. This action helped pave the way for a ban, which first took effect in Southeast Asia on September 1, 2013 and then...