WASHINGTON, D.C.—In the latest issue of its “Energy Infrastructure Update” (with data through November 30, 2017), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) notes that proposed net additions to generating capacity by utility-scale wind and solar could total 115,984 megawatts (MW) by December 2020—effectively doubling their current installed capacity of 115,520 MW. At the same time, the FERC report suggests that coal might experience a net decline of 18,723 MW (equivalent to 6.60 percent of current capacity) while nuclear power drops by 2,342 MW (equivalent to 2.16 percent of current capacity). The numbers were released as FERC prepares for a January 10...

BROOMFIELD, COLO.—Vail Resorts, Inc. announced that the company has engaged Boulder, Colo.-based Renewable Choice Energy (RCE), a Schneider Electric company, to help identify and implement renewable energy projects that the company may purchase or fund as part of its comprehensive sustainability commitment. In hiring RCE, the company is taking another important step in pursuing its “Epic Promise for a Zero Footprint,” which includes three ambitious sustainability goals: zero net emissions by 2030, zero waste to landfill by 2030, and zero net operating impact to forests and habitat. “This is an exciting step towards our net zero emissions goal,” said Rob...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes “One Green Deed Spawns Another,” a new book authored by green manufacturing consultant David Mahood, to the Green Product & Service Directory. It entails his quest for sustainability and conversations with the sources of his inspiration. If you had one green deed you’d like to see heeded, adopted, and passed on, what would it be and why? The book is a compilation of the answers to that question in the context of a 20-year journey. From green architecture pioneers to green product pioneers, from natural fiber farmers...

NEW YORK—Downtown Camper, a signature hotel within the Scandic portfolio, will open its doors to the adventurous traveler in early 2018. Located in the heart of one of Stockholm’s most unexplored neighborhoods, and adjacent to Brunkeburg Square, the hotel is the ultimate basecamp for urban explorers and global travelers. Downtown Camper takes an outdoorsy and social approach to hospitality with a focus on spontaneity, relaxation, and togetherness, empowering guests to discover the wonders of Stockholm. Guests are encouraged to pluck a complimentary kayak from the lobby and explore Stockholm’s breathtaking archipelago, or grab a bike and tour Gamla Stan’s...

SARASOTA, FLA.—Hotel industry veteran Richard Ferrell, President of Pürlin, LLC, is aiming to revolutionize how sheets and pillow cases are managed in hotels across the United States. His company’s linens are not laundered; instead, after being used by a guest they are picked up to be 100 percent recycled. Made of high-quality microfibers designed to simulate cotton—the same as those used in products such as baby diapers and athletic wear—the sheets and pillowcases are produced and recycled by companies based in Florida and North Carolina. Once heated to 500+ degrees Fahrenheit, the linens are liquefied and become the ingredients...

SAN FRANCISCO—The InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco has been named a San Francisco Green Business, making it the largest hotel by square footage and second largest building in the city to receive the recognition. Under the direction of Chief Engineer Shane Caldwell, the hotel spent more than two years working alongside the San Francisco Department of Environment to audit its existing practices and implement new programs and procedures to become a more sustainable property focusing on the areas of waste management, pollution prevention, conservation, water management, and energy efficiency. To date, the hotel has replaced more than 8,000 lightbulbs...

LAS VEGAS—Yesterday, MGM Resorts International, in partnership with Three Square Food Bank, announced a new standardized program for safe collection, preservation and service of surplus banquet food that will help reduce hunger in Southern Nevada. This new program, in which MGM Resorts donates surplus (prepared but unserved) hot banquet food to Three Square, is expected to provide 800,000 nutritious meals by 2020 to people combating hunger. Food insecurity is one of the most serious public health challenges in the United States, according to statistics from the United States Department of Agriculture. One in seven Americans is unable to meet their...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added Resort Energy Ventures to its Green Product & Service Directory in the “Consultants/Energy” category. Resort Energy Ventures was founded to assist the hospitality industry and other organizations located in high energy cost regions meet their energy needs with responsible, sustainable, and economically viable solutions. The company provides corporate renewable energy deployment strategies, portfolio analysis, and individual project development services for renewable energy, battery, and microgrid systems. Resort Energy Ventures’ approach is to maximize return on investment while meeting sustainability objectives. In resort locations, particularly islands, Resort...

REDONDO BEACH, CALIF.—Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has been named the world’s most sustainable hotel group for the second year running by certification body Green Globe. The international hospitality firm has also been hailed a “global sustainability leader” in the ‘Green Globe Report 2017’, with more than 50 percent of its certified properties worldwide achieving the entity’s prestigious ‘Gold’ status—an accolade bestowed on hotels and resorts that have achieved Green Globe certification for five years or more. These properties have been independently audited across 385 performance indicators and consistently met or exceeded the standards and criteria this rigorous certification process entails. “This year...

NEW YORK—Duravit has joined forces with Kansas-based Studio 804, Inc. to promote the benefits of innovative, adaptive architecture and design. Studio 804, Inc. is a not-for-profit that annually builds and designs a home that represents sustainable, affordable, and inventive building solutions. Duravit will donate a variety of bathroom products for the 2018 house, highlighting the impact of forward-thinking, modern bathroom design. “Our partnership with Studio 804 is a testament to the value of their program,” states Duravit USA President Tim Schroeder. “The effort, research, and care that goes into every Studio 804 project is something Duravit is incredibly proud to...