DANVERS, MASS.—North American lighting maker OSRAM SYLVANIA announced the first to market 100-watt equivalent LED incandescent replacement offering long life and energy savings. The SYLVANIA ULTRA LED omnidirectional A21 bulb consumes only 20 watts of electricity, saving consumers approximately $220 over its life compared to an incandescent bulb.The A21 100-watt equivalent type is part of the ULTRA LED A-Line series of bulbs, now available in four wattages, offering substitutes for 40, 60, 75 and 100-watt incandescent bulbs. Producing a similar lumen output and distribution pattern to incandescent bulbs, ULTRA LED omnidirectional A-Line bulbs provide up to 80 percent energy...

MEDINA, MINN.—On the tail of its one-year anniversary of acquiring GEM vehicles, Polaris Industries Inc. is introducing its model year 2013 Polaris GEM vehicles to market. The premium line of compact electric vehicles comes with new and improved features and options to provide businesses a best in class solution for any transport or light-utility need. The new model year rollout also includes a new creative platform and an updated look to the brand’s website.Since the compact electric vehicle line was acquired by Polaris in June 2011, the company has spent significant resources to improve the vehicles’ performance and increase...

LAS VEGAS—Green Key Global, the largest international certification body evaluating sustainable hotel operations, has awarded the prestigious “5 Green Keys” rating to four MGM Resorts International properties for its Green Key Meetings Program, including Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort and MGM Grand Las Vegas. The four MGM resorts are the first in the United States to receive “5 Green Keys” for meetings, and among an elite group of only six total in North America.In addition, each of the 11 MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas as well as Reno and in Tunica and...

SAN FRANCISCO—ECOtality, Inc., a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, announced it has surpassed one million EV residential charge events on its Blink Chargers. ECOtality is the first in the industry to reach this milestone.“Through the data recorded on Blink chargers for The EV Project, we have clearly demonstrated the viability of this marketplace and continued growth of EVs across the nation,” said Ravi Brar, CEO of ECOtality, Inc. “Recording more than one million charge events is not only an iconic milestone for ECOtality, The EV Project and the industry, but is also proof that EVs are...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Dream Green Services as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Dream Green Services provides air conditioner cleaning, installation and repair services. The company specializes in Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs). The company has provided services for major brands including La Quinta, Motel 6/Studio 6, and Marriott International. A single annual cleaning with the company’s unique process could extend the life of PTAC units another three to five years. Also, an annual cleaning can decrease one’s electric bill up to 6 percent per month.For more information, e-mail...

MORTON GROVE, ILL.—Xylem Inc., a global water technology company focused on addressing the world’s most challenging water issues, announces the release of its new white paper, “A Systems Approach to Energy and Water Efficiency in Commercial Buildings.” As the name suggests, the white paper focuses on the challenges designers and managers of commercial buildings face today with the ever-increasing demands to improve the energy and water efficiency of their buildings.As the complexity of building systems continues to increase, the challenge of designing, installing and operating these systems also increases. New building codes continue to raise efficiency standards for new...

CHICAGO—Traxon Technologies, a provider of solid state lighting and control systems, was selected as the key LED lighting and controls provider for InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile’s new, exterior illumination solution. The new lighting scheme debuted alongside The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on November 17 in downtown Chicago. Designed by Robert Osten and Anna Baranczak of Lam Partners, Boston, the lighting and control system features both architectural and media elements. Traxon’s Wall Washer Shield AC XB RGB, Graze Shield AC XB RGB, and String RGB replace metal halides, adding ultra bright, sustainable, low-maintenance LED illumination to the famous hotel’s onion...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Travelers often bring water to their hotel rooms in single-use plastic bottles to avoid paying a premium for designer bottled water offered in the mini-fridge or hotel convenience stores. Now Extended Stay America guests can take advantage of a better option: fresh, filtered Culligan water available free from the kitchen faucet in their room.The installation of Culligan water filters on kitchen taps in hotel rooms began in March 2012 with Extended Stay America’s California properties; the filters are being added to additional rooms across the country throughout 2013 as Extended Stay America completes planned renovations on many U.S....

NEW YORK—The Architec Dry Urinal by Duravit and Prof. Frank Huster embraces responsible water use and environmental conservation through innovation in design. Thanks to a hose membrane integrated into its outlet, Architec Dry flushes without any water. This dry flush technology means it is operated without any water pipes and tap fittings thus serving as a cost-effective alternative to urinals with a conventional flush. In addition to its easy maintenance and cleanability, the membrane only requires replacement after 7,500 uses.“Water is one of our most precious resources,” says Duravit USA president Tim Schroeder, “and at Duravit, we are always...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau Inc. recently released the Compact 5-in-One Ironing System. A space-saving ironer/folder, the Compact processes up to 82 feet of linen per minute and works seamlessly with an optional feeder, stacker and small-piece accumulator to quickly accomplish feeding, ironing, folding, stacking and accumulating. Continental and OnePress models are available in 24- and 32-inch diameters; 130-inch finishing widths; and natural gas or liquid propane heat sources. Girbau Industrial (GI) models are available in 24-, 32- and 48-inch diameters; 102- and 130-inch finishing widths; and natural gas or liquid propane heat sources.All models offer high-volume linen handling to laundries that...