Willdan congratulates four of our hotel customers through the Southern California Edison (SCE) Lodging Energy Efficiency Program for their awarding-winning upgrade projects.

The Cool Planet Award, presented by The Climate Registry and SCE, recognizes SCE business customers who demonstrate exemplary leadership in energy and carbon management within its business size and industry sector. In the hospitality sector, the Bacara Resort & Spa and the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa both received a 2016 Cool Planet Award. In addition, the DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Ana/Orange County Airport and the DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine Spectrum both received a 2016 Cool Planet Award – Honorable Mention.

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa

The Cool Planet Award was presented to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa at the City of Huntington Beach City Council meeting on November 7, 2016. Pictured left to right are: Annie Hoeksma (Willdan), Chuck McInnish (Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa), Antonia Graham (City of Huntington Beach), Jim Katapodis (Mayor, City of Huntington Beach). Since 2014, Willdan has supported several energy efficiency projects at this Hyatt property, including installing VFDs on the pool pumps, lighting upgrades, and installing occupancy-based guestroom thermostats. These projects has helped the Hyatt to save 2.1 million kWh. They also received $161,000 of incentives from SCE for installing these projects.

Pacific Hospitality Group (PHG)

The hotel management and investment company Pacific Hospitality Group also received recognition along with three of its hotels: Bacara Resort & Spa, DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine Spectrum, and Doubletree by Hilton Santa Ana/OC Airport. All three received recognition at the Cool Planet Award Ceremony on October 25, 2016. Willdan has supported each of these properties through SCE’s LEEP, and have helped them to save just over 3 million kWh combined. PHG's press release notes: "An integral resource to the PHG properties in this success was its partnership with Willdan."

Bottom picture, from left to right: Misael Frias, Lead Engineer, DoubleTree Santa Ana; Kimberly Ervin, Director of Sales, DoubleTree Santa Ana; Ida Starr, SCE; Kym Myers, GM, DoubleTree Irvine; Javier Delgado-Garcia, GM, DoubleTree Santa Ana; Jose Valle, Facilities Manager, DoubleTree Irvine; Dave Elcon, Director of Ops, Bacara Resort & Spa; Jim Pettit, Chief Engineer, Bacara Resort & Spa; Kari Cox, Ops Manager, Pacific Hospitality Group; David Rosenheim, The Climate Registry.