SAN DIEGO—The management from Solar Gard window films, a Bekaert product, announced it has teamed up with the Clinton Climate Initiative to reduce energy consumption in public and commercial buildings. Installation of Solar Gard window film is included under the Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, which was designed to help public entities lower their energy consumption. Solar Gard window film can be sized to fit any glass door or window, making it an essential measure for government buildings that are often historic and frequently characterized by oversized windows. Now, all public organizations that have committed to reducing their carbon footprint...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Vamoose, which has been independently tested and verified as the only commercially available odor eliminator with long-term odor removal for cigarettes, pipes and cigars by organically converting the sources of the odors, is now available in service kits for commercial service companies. Service companies, franchise service groups, hotels, motels and restaurants can now easily purchase complete treatment kits and add additional service offerings for room treatment of tobacco odors. Vamoose, when used properly, completely eliminates all second-hand tobacco odors with the patented Novexium technology which molecularly combines with the tar and nicotine molecules deposited by smoking. It converts...

MINNEAPOLIS—Honeywell announced it has been awarded a $4.5 million contract extension for Cool Control Plus, an energy-efficiency program that has reduced electricity consumption in more than 150 small hotels and motels throughout the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) service area in northern and central California. Designed and managed by Honeywell Utility Solutions, Cool Control Plus provides lodging owners with free, energy-saving retrofits designed to eliminate wasteful use of air-conditioning and heating. The program was launched in 2006 and met the initial conservation target set by the utility—a 12-million-kilowatt-hour (kWh) savings in annual electricity use—a year ahead of schedule. Given the success...

MINNEAPOLIS—Healthier Choice, a premium carpet cushion manufacturer, will use BiOH polyols, a soy-based ingredient in greener foam production, to offer a more responsible, greener choice in cushioning for carpet and flooring. Derived from natural vegetable oils such as soybean oil, BiOH polyols can deliver unique performance benefits while helping customers reduce their environmental footprint and market themselves to downstream customers. Healthier Choice, an environmentally conscious maker of functional foam underlay, sees a partnership with BiOH polyols as a logical step. The company is now integrating the use of BiOH polyols throughout its total product line, including Healthier Choice Carpet Cushion,...

ATLANTA—Georgia Power recently signed an agreement with TOTO USA, Inc. to begin providing the company with green energy. Under the terms of the agreement, TOTO USA, Inc. has agreed to purchase 480,000 kilowatt-hours of green energy. Green energy is environmentally friendly electricity generated from sources like the sun, wind, water, landfill methane and biomass. Customers who participate in the program help reduce the environmental impact of energy production, conserve natural resources, and support domestic energy self-reliance. “The recent green energy purchase by TOTO USA is evidence that more and more of our customers see the value of making renewable sources...

SINGER ISLAND, FLA.—The Global Green Hospitality Consortium (GGHC) has been founded to provide the hospitality industry with the resources needed to implement sustainable standards and practices offered by various green associations, state and federal programs. Federal programs include EPA Green Partnership, Energy Star and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). “GGHC will work within any framework a hotel property identifies by providing the practical tools and skilled assistance to implement the desired standards,” said Kim Karch, the group’s chief marketing officer. “The intention is not to duplicate existing or impending green hospitality standards. On...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Met-Tile, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The Ontario, Calif.-based company’s “tile panel” cool roofing features 10 designer colors that meet or exceed Energy Star requirements. It combines the popular look of tile with the light weight of metal, often saving on construction costs because substructure requirements are reduced. It also offers all-weather performance, including a 230+ miles per hour wind rating. Call (909) 947-0311, e-mail met-tile@met-tile.com, or go to www.met-tile.com.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—For the second consecutive year, Friedrich Air Conditioning has been awarded an Environmental Excellence Award by San Antonio Water System (SAWS). San Antonio Water System serves more than 1 million people in the seventh largest U.S. city. Friedrich received this award in recognition of its continued efforts to reduce water consumption. In 2007, the company reduced the amount of process water requiring treatment by approximately 50 percent and has optimized the use of its water treatment process. Environmental Excellence Award recipients must demonstrate best management, water conservation, and pollution prevention practices as well as innovative...

LOS ANGELES—Having worked successfully for such real estate clients as Wynn Las Vegas, the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, Mandalay Bay and W Hotels, B|W|R Public Relations has been retained by Los Angeles-based hotelier Deirdre Wallace. B|W|R will focus on raising awareness of The Ambrose in Santa Monica, while seeking opportunities for the president and founder, Deirdre Wallace. For more than 28 years, B|W|R has earned a reputation as a service-intensive firm adept in a cross-section of public relations disciplines. In addition to destinations and real estate ventures, they include special events (star-studded parties, award shows), nonprofit (e.g., annual Revlon...

LAGRANGE, GA.—Milliken Hospitality’s latest carpet introduction, Orsay, takes its design cues from the work of the great impressionist masters—Renoir, Monet and Cassatt. With original interpretation from decorative artist Tracy Lee Stum, Orsay draws from an encyclopedia of decorative painting techniques and calligraphy. Using Milliken’s étage technology, the collection allows designers to define their own style and create a fully custom look quickly and easily. By simply selecting and combing pattern layers, the designer has complete control to create their own masterpiece. Orsay is available in both broadloom and 36-inch tile formats. The collection includes small, medium and large scale...