PHILADELPHIA—LED Saving Solutions, a supplier of U.S. made high-performance LED lighting, is offering $10 million in grant incentives to private companies to jump-start conversion from energy wasting traditional lighting to more energy efficient LED lighting. The Green Light Program provides private companies and nonprofit organizations in the United States with up to $10,000 in grant funds to be used toward an LED lighting retrofit.  “This grant program is not some Santa’s list rewarding companies that have been nice to the environment,” says Charlie Szoradi, president of LED Saving Solutions. “This is about introducing a simple and measurable way to...

NIANTIC, CONN.—The InterContinental San Francisco hotel is reaping the financial and environmental benefits of implementing the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat developed by Niantic, Conn.-based INNCOM, a leader in advanced guestroom automation systems for hotels and resorts. According to the INNCOM tracking system, the property saved $75,491 on energy costs from January to September 2010. “With the INNCOM EMS and e4 Smart Digital Thermostat, we can allow guests a much greater amount of control and responsiveness than we could with systems that simply turn everything off,” says Harry Hobbs, InterContinental San Francisco director of engineering. “Most of the time the features...

CHICAGO—Green Park Eco Garage, Chicago’s first fully-automated parking facility, successfully broke ground recently at its first planned location, 1868 N. Milwaukee Ave. A project of Chicago-based VLF Development LLC, Green Park will offer parking for more than 100 vehicles utilizing a patented, robotic, fully-automatic parking system that takes the aggravation out of local parking and adds customer-friendly features, such as the ability to reserve parking spaces online or through Smartphones, to enhance the parking experience. The Green Park garage is recognized as the nation’s first LEED Gold registered, fully-automated parking facility. Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn and Secretary of State Jesse...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Greenloons, a global ecotourism provider, recently launched a website to add clarity to ecotourism certification procedures and help eco-conscious travelers make responsible and informed vacation purchasing decisions. Greenloons.com allows users to select from a variety of third-party certified ecotour vacations and conservation-focused volunteer projects. Greenloons focuses on ecotourism education and includes listings for unique and inspiring wildlife adventures. The site is also packed with vivid nature photos. The “Ecotour Destinations” feature enables visitors to search for third party certified ecotourism destinations by country, activity, and departure date. Each tour description includes an overview, itinerary details, trip notes, availability dates,...

SATELLITE BEACH, FLA.—Lighting Science Group recently became the first U.S. company to domestically manufacture one million LED bulbs in less than a year. The one millionth bulb is a new ultra-efficient, omni-directional LED A19 bulb that will replace America’s most commonly used 60 watt incandescent bulb. Available beginning this month, Lighting Science Group’s 850 lumen, 13 watt LED bulb is 75 percent more efficient than the 60 watt incandescent bulb it replaces and will last close to 23 years—based on a usage of 6 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days/year. The new 60 watt equivalent LED bulb...

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA—The Green Hotels and Responsible Tourism Initiative is an education resource that has been developed in partnership with respected tourism sustainability and hotel greening experts, Dr. Sonya Graci and Jacqueline Kuehnel. The project is specifically designed to help hoteliers, travelers, and local communities develop and promote environmental, social, and cultural sustainability by increasing awareness of issues affecting tourism and showcasing best green practices for hoteliers.Spokesperson James Ferguson, who heads up the initiative, commented, “At HotelsCombined.com, we believe there is a moral obligation to conserve the natural environment and give back to the communities where we travel. The guides...

VISTA, CALIF.—Waterless Co. Inc., the oldest and one of the largest manufacturers of no-water urinal systems and other restroom products in the United States, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. The company was founded by Klaus Reichardt, a leading advocate for water conservation and sustainability. His goal was to develop a firm that would help facilities use water more responsibly. “We have grown from just a few distributors in the United States to having distributors throughout the country,” he says. “And because of America’s growing interest in sustainability, the last few years have actually been some of our biggest...

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International, an independent public health organization that tests and certifies a wide range of plumbing and drinking water treatment products, announced that it strongly supports the passage of the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act on January 4, which significantly reduces the amount of lead allowed in plumbing products that contact drinking water.NSF International applauds the government for harmonizing federal legislation with recently enacted state requirements and NSF Standards. In 2008, Annex G was incorporated into NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components—Health Effects and includes requirements limiting weighted average of lead content in plumbing...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Don Ascione, president and CEO of Continental Chemical USA, recently announced the launch of a new, all-natural product formulated to kill and control beg bug infestations. To facilitate distribution of Mattress Fresh Bed Bug Killer, an exclusive sales representation agreement was signed between CCUSA and Cutting Edge Formulations. The agreement charges CCUSA with complete responsibility for the national launch of Mattress Fresh, an all-natural, non-pesticide product manufactured in Buford, Ga., by Cutting Edge Formulations for the eradication of bed bugs. According to Ascione, Mattress Fresh was specifically formulated by Cutting Edge Formulations in response to the bed bug...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—The Refinishing Touch, a leader in on-site environmentally safe and sustainable furniture refinishing, re-upholstering and armoire modification for private and public organizations, announced it completed more than 120 projects of refinishing and refurbishing with public and private organizations in 2010. Customers included hotels within the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), The Hilton Family of Brands, Marriott, and Radisson Hotels, as well as government agencies such as The United States Court of Appeals. The company also added Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-complaint TV recycling to its range of services in 2010. By the close of...