WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Obama yesterday announced nearly $4 billion in combined federal and private sector energy upgrades to buildings over the next 2 years. These investments will save billions in energy costs, promote energy independence, and, according to independent estimates, create tens of thousands of jobs in the hard-hit construction sector. The $4 billion investment announced includes a $2 billion commitment, made through the issuance of a Presidential Memorandum, to energy upgrades of federal buildings using long term energy savings to pay for up-front costs, at no cost to taxpayers. In addition, 60 CEOs, mayors, university presidents, and labor leaders...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Clean the World, an Orlando-based social enterprise dedicated to collecting, recycling and distributing hotel soap to battle preventable diseases and protect the planet, is teaming with a high-technology incubator to fuel a series of socially responsible innovations and sustainable energy projects in the hospitality industry and beyond.Looking to expand its recycling and upcycling opportunities worldwide, Clean the World has formed a joint venture with Eco Convergence Group Inc. (ECG), an Orlando-based engineering and technology development company focusing on the sustainability market. The partners are developing several forward-thinking initiatives including advanced mobile waste processors, geopolymer green construction materials, hydroponic...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched its online App Lab as part of its LEED Automation Program. The lab launched with eight applications, developed by LEED Automation Partners, and is designed for use with Internet browsers, tablets, smartphones and other devices. The App Lab is a searchable catalog of third-party apps that are integrated with LEED data. Each app is a fully functional software tool that has been enhanced to provide LEED project teams and administrators integration with LEED Online and address the LEED certification process. These tools are already being used for helping with task management,...

NEW YORK—Hampton Inn Elmira Horseheads (N.Y.), part of the global brand Hampton Hotels, announced that the hotel achieved LEED Silver certification, as recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the internationally recognized green building certification, which provides third-party verification that a building was designed and operated to provide enhanced energy savings, water efficiency, emissions reduction and overall environmental quality.“This is a great achievement for the Hampton Inn Elmira Horseheads,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “A LEED silver certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership by ownership and management.”“This is a wonderful accomplishment...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new video from the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. (AH&LA) Multicultural & Diversity Council features seven leading CEOs highlighting the importance of diversity to their companies. Their comments emphasize the business case for promoting and pursuing diversity at all levels, ranging from their workforce to guests to vendors, and tell the story of diversity for the lodging industry.    “We hope this video will help owners and operators realize how important diversity is to their ongoing growth and success and will take the opportunity to scrutinize their current practices,” said MDAC chair Steve Joyce, president/CEO of Choice Hotels...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The latest educational content, active online communities, and the meeting and event industry’s most targeted sustainable suppliers’ guide are highlights of the revamped website unveiled today by the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC). “Between the solid educational content on the website and the vibrant business connections in the directory, the Green Meeting Industry Council is fulfilling its mission as the industry’s premier resource on sustainable meetings and events,” said GMIC president Paul Salinger, vice-president of marketing at Oracle Corp. “This is the next big step in helping our members translate their passion for sustainability into cost savings and measurable...

CHICAGO—The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which works with the private sector and honorary chairwoman First Lady Michelle Obama to solve the nation’s childhood obesity crisis, announced at its inaugural Building a Healthier Future Summit that it has partnered with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts to improve the nutritional profile of food menus at full-service managed Hyatt properties across the country. Menus at all Hyatt hotels and resorts in the United States and Canada will be enhanced following the most recent U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPlate federal guidance, which targets children’s menus. In the next year, Hyatt...

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International, a global public health and environmental organization, has published the first American national standard for commercial and residential on-site water reuse treatment systems, NSF/ANSI 350. The new standard complements NSF’s expanding scope of environmental standards and sustainable product standards, which help establish criteria for and clear methods of evaluating environmental and sustainable product claims. Certifying a water reuse system to NSF/ANSI 350 also satisfies requirements for leading green building programs. The U.S. Green Building Council has included reference to NSF/ANSI 350 in their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Building Design & Construction 2012 Draft...

CAPE ELIZABETH, MAINE—There is no shortage of literary bunny tales, or pop culture characters inspired by our natural fondness for rabbits. Who doesn’t love Winnie the Pooh’s practical friend “Rabbit,” Beatrix Potter’s mischievous “Peter,” Bambi’s loyal mentor “Thumper,” or the Velveteen, energizer and seasonally indispensable Cadbury bunnies? But, like Alice in Wonderland’s white rabbit who vanished into a fanciful rabbit hole, New England’s native Cottontail is also on the verge of vanishing—forever, and from the real world.In an effort to stop  from vanishing in Maine, Inn by the Sea, the Maine Department of Conservation, and Bureau of Parks and...

LAS VEGAS—National Park Trust, a nonprofit environmental organization, and the Caesars Foundation have partnered to help today’s generation explore and learn about the environment near their homes and schools through the Buddy Bison program. National Park Trust’s Buddy Bison program is centered on responsible use of resources and finding the value in the world as well as preserving it for future generations. Earlier this year the Caesars Foundation presented National Park Trust with a $60,000 grant that will be used to coordinate several Buddy Bison field trips in five regions of the United States through 2012. “The Caesars Foundation and Caesars...