GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet, Inc., a leading provider of innovative, centrally managed solutions for integrated energy management, networking, building automation and proactive support services, has won a contract with Columbia Sussex, a leading national developer and manager of more than 70 hotels and casinos across 30 states. Approximately 1,300 guestrooms in the Doubletree in Rochester, New York, the Sheraton in Philadelphia City Center, and the Westin in St. Maarten have been equipped with the versatile Telkonet SmartEnergy (TSE) in-room, occupancy-driven energy management system, with additional properties scheduled for TSE implementation by the end of the year. After a comprehensive analysis of competitive...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Eco Drain Dragon as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Eco Drain Dragon offers a chemical-free way to unclog drains. It attaches to a wet vacuum and instantly sucks the clog into the vacuum. Unlike chemicals, it produces no heat or gases to irritate the skin, eyes or lungs. Eco Drain Dragon works quickly—typically less than a minute—and produces no messy splash. For additional information, call (717) 248-0600, e-mail ferguson@pa.net, or go to www.ecodraindragon.com.

ALSIP, ILL.—Litetronics International, Inc. introduces its Spiral-Lite GU24 CFLs. GU24-based lamps are designed for use in GU24 sockets. This special base is only used on energy efficient light sources, such as CFLs. Fixtures with GU24 bases guarantee energy savings over the life of the fixture because inefficient incandescent and halogen lamps are not manufactured with GU24 bases; therefore, they can never be used in the fixture. GU24 fixtures and lamps may be eligible for utility rebates. Available in 13-watt, 18-watt, and 23-watt models, Spiral-Lite GU24 CFLs are Energy Star qualified, and they save up to 80 percent on energy costs...

SALT LAKE CITY—RoomEnergy announced a fundamental commitment to protect the environment by becoming an Energy Star partner. RoomEnergy, through its voluntary partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program, will work to improve energy efficiency and fight global warming. RoomEnergy is the maker of a keycard-based energy conservation system. Using a guest’s room key, RoomEnergy’s wireless keycard switch can reduce energy consumption by up to 25 percent. Using patented, proven technology, RoomEnergy’s wireless switch produces its own power and does not require wiring or batteries. This communicates with the HVAC equipment to indicate occupied or unoccupied, much more...

NEW YORK—The Carbon Free Meeting Coalition announced two new programs aimed at expanding the use of green meeting technologies within corporations, businesses and organizations of all sizes. Both programs were developed to assist companies interested in rolling out new technologies that serve to reduce their carbon footprint while reducing bottom line costs. Based on feedback obtained from organizations of all sizes across the country, the two new programs—the Kick-Start Clinic and Sustain to Save Program—focus on difficulties organizations are having in successfully launching, and then sustaining, such programs to ensure their full impact, value and potential are recognized across an...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Participating members of FreshStay.com will have a new dress code for Fridays. To promote the benefits of being 100 percent smoke free, the hotel staff will don polo shirts and other clothing with a specially embossed FreshStay.com logo. The FreshStay apparel will be designed and produced by Vermont Clothing Company, which specializes in organic, recycled, Earth-friendly clothing. As an added bonus, a portion of the proceeds from the apparel will donated to the American Cancer Society and American Lung Association. “FreshStay Fridays is a great way for our members to promote themselves as 100 percent smoke free, and...

BERKELEY, CALIF.—Raksha Bella Organic introduces its Indian organic cotton duvet covers, quilts, pillow cases and Euro shams, handblocked in classic Indian patterns with low impact dyes. Raksha Bella means “protector of beauty.” “As a designer, I believe it’s my responsibility to create sustainable solutions to the things we consume every day,” said Carrie Peters, founder of Raksha Bella Organic. “With a handcrafted approach to the Raksha Bella line, I want to show the interconnectedness between product and person.” Cotton is one of India’s most important cash crops. Conventional growing methods (which use harsh chemicals and pesticides) harden the land and make...

THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.—Founder/CEO of Investors Hospitality Management, (“IHM”) John Glen DiGuiseppe, has announced the launch of www.greenhotelbookings.com. “This is not a referral program nor a fee-based system but a free, actual verifiable green hotels booking engine, which, through its affiliation with bookings.com, Expedia, Orbitz, etc., provides reservations services in more than 18 languages for domestic and international visitors in quest of supporting sustainable hospitality in worldwide hotels and luxury estates,” DiGuiseppe says. The logical next step in implementation of technological tourism sustainability, DiGuiseppe states, “IHM conceived, developed and trademarked www.greenhotelbookings.com as a dual-focused site which both provides varied certification levels...

LANSING, MICH.—The new textbook, Managing Housekeeping Operations, Revised Third Edition, represents a collaboration between the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI) and The Rooms Chronicle (TRC), a leading hotel rooms management publication and website. The book includes articles written by Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor of Green Lodging News. The revised housekeeping book was co-authored by TRC’s founder, Aleta A. Nitschke, CHA, and TRC’s executive editor, William D. Frye, Ph.D., CHE, associate professor, College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Niagara University. The book includes housekeeping operations-related content and excerpts from more than 100 The Rooms Chronicle articles, with content...

PANAMA CITY, FLA.—The Sugar Cane Paper Company, the largest manufacturer and distributor of bagasse-made, “treeless” paper goods in the world, announces the availability of bagasse-made napkins, toilet paper, tissue and paper towels; making it the only company with this complete line of eco-friendly products in the U.S. marketplace. Bagasse is the fibrous residue left over in the sugar-making process after the sugar cane has been crushed and the sugar extracted. All of The Sugar Cane Paper Company’s paper products are from recycled materials—85 percent is recycled waste (bagasse) and the remaining 15 percent, recycled paper. Sugar Cane Paper Company products...