ISLA VERDE, PUERTO RICO—The InterContinental San Juan Resort & Casino unveiled its environmental education program geared towards children ages four to 12 on World Sea Turtle Day. The new program was introduced for the resort’s newly opened Planet Trekkers Kids Club. As part of its environmental education efforts, the InterContinental San Juan adopted a leatherback sea turtle in conjunction with the nonprofit Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC). The leatherback sea turtle is listed by the U.S. federal government as endangered worldwide and within the United States is known to nest in southeastern Florida, Puerto Rico and St. Croix. Each child enrolled...

ATLANTA—Recommendations on achieving 30 percent energy savings over minimum code requirements are contained in the newly published “Advanced Energy Design Guide for Highway Lodging.” The energy savings guidance for design of new hotels provides a first step toward achieving a net-zero-energy building. “The recommendations allow the building industry to create more energy-efficient hotels while maintaining the quality and functionality of the space to provide a pleasant guest experience,” said Ron Jarnagin, chair of the committee that wrote the book. The book, published by ASHRAE, gives guidance to architects, engineers, contractors and other building team members on how to easily achieve...

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—Earlier this year, the State of Florida suggested a major reduction in the size of its Florida Green Lodging Program as part of state-wide budget cuts. Those cuts have been made and as of July 1, the program will still exist but on a much smaller scale. According to an article appearing in the Orlando Business Journal, four people have been dedicated to the program at a cost of $337,000. Beginning July 1, however, just one person will manage it at a cost of $63,000. To become a designated Green Lodging property in the past, the property had...

ATLANTA—When NYLO Dallas/Las Colinas opens in late July 2009, it will run on 100 percent renewable energy. The loft-style boutique hotel brand has signed an agreement with TXU Energy to become the supplier’s first hotel customer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to purchase 100 percent Renewable Energy Certificate-based electricity. “This is a huge initiative as we look to become an even more eco-friendly brand,” said Patrick O’Neil, executive vice president of operations for NYLO Hotels, which already incorporates renewable energy in all of its other locations. “TXU Energy is our neighbor in Las Colinas, and we are proud to work...

LONG BEACH, N.Y.—The Allegria Hotel & Spa, located in Long Beach, N.Y., just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, will open July 1. The 143-room property is expected to earn LEED certification by this fall. The hotel previously was a 140-room assisted living facility. It was renovated and expanded by three floors. Minimal demolition was needed during the conversion. The hotel will include a rooftop Joseph Christopher for Beauty & Wellness spa and a poolside bar, Jacks on the Rocks. It will serve light spa fare and organic juices and smoothies, all prepared under the direction of chef Todd...

NORWALK, CONN.—HEI Hotels & Resorts, one of the United States’ fastest growing private owner/operators of hotel real estate, announced the company will be presented with the 2009 Corporate Energy Management of the Year Award at The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)’s Awards Celebration Banquet, held in conjunction with the World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC), on November 4 of this year. The event will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. “Energy consumption is one of the leading issues facing the world today,” said Bob Holesko, CEM, vice president of facilities, HEI Hotels & Resorts. “This...

SAN FRANCISCO—Kimpton Restaurants, a collection of 45 chef-driven restaurants in the United States and Canada, and a recognized environmental pioneer, announces three new sustainable initiatives. As the latest addition to Kimpton’s EarthCare program, guests can enjoy in-house purified still and sparkling water, increased eco-friendly wine selections, and sustainable seafood dishes at restaurants in 21 cities. Thirty percent of wine lists will feature eco-friendly selections by January 2010, including organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines from small and large producers. Only sustainable seafood selections will be offered at restaurants, in accordance with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program (currently in place). In-house...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The building industry is encouraged to reach out to Congress to promote high-performance buildings during High-Performance Buildings week. The High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC) is hosting the first annual Virtual Congressional Visit Days during the week of June 15 to 19. Members of the HPBCCC participating organizations are asked to contact their member of Congress by phone and e-mail and encourage them to join the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus and to focus on high-performance building issues. The week has been dubbed “High-Performance Buildings Week.” Co-chairs of the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus, Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Representative Judy...

HIDDEN VALLEY, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA—The Solar Eco Cabins and Interpretive Centre at Hidden Valley Cabins are an inspiration for the tourist industry and the community to follow, Stephen Pahl, CEO of Ecotourism Australia, said recently. “Hidden Valley Cabins is Australia’s first fully carbon neutral resort and tour business, and they have recently achieved Advanced Ecotourism Certification,” he added. “The official opening of the Solar Eco Cabins on April 4 is the culmination of the McLennan family’s commitment to environmental improvement over more than 20 years and they have achieved a model that should inspire the rest of the tourist industry...

LAS VEGAS—An array of high-profile private- and public-sector organizations, including many household names in the United States and abroad, have lent their support to the second WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition, slated for October 7 to 9 in Las Vegas. Presented by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense Program and the American Water Works Association (AWWA), WaterSmart Innovations is the largest and most comprehensive conference of its kind in the world. Other major organizations supporting WaterSmart Innovations are the Alliance for Water Efficiency, Audubon International, GreenPlumbers USA, International...