Press Release
March 23, 2001
BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- Hilton Hotels Corp. has received an Energy Star Award from the Environmental Protection Agency
for the year 2000 in the Hospitality category.
Hilton's commitment to energy management was recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Months before the term ``rolling blackout'' came into everyday use, Hilton Hotels was busy mapping out an energy-management
plan for all its properties. Efficient use of energy plays an ever-increasing role in achieving the company's strategic
objectives by reducing costs and increasing Hilton's competitiveness.
Hilton has been an active participant in Energy Star since its inception in 1996. Most of the company's owned and
managed properties work closely with Energy Star to maintain a strategic, systematic approach to companywide energy
management.
``Energy management for our hotels is always important, but it takes on added significance when prices escalate
like we've seen recently,'' said George Neeson, vice president-engineering/ housekeeping, Hilton Hotels. ``The
Energy Star Award recognizes that Hilton is serious about its energy-conservation strategy.''
Hilton earned the award for 2000 by adhering to Energy Star's five-stage approach, addressing lighting; building
``tune-ups''; installation of load reducers such as window film, insulation and reflective coverings; fan system
upgrades; and heating and cooling system improvements. Last year, Hilton saved more than $2.5 million in energy
costs using this organized effort.
For 2001, Hilton's energy-management resolutions include a ``5-5-5'' improvement at its owned and managed properties
(meaning an overall reduction of 5 percent in energy use, a savings of 5 percent in energy costs (where applicable),
and a 5 percent improvement on the Energy Star Hospitality benchmark tool).
Other energy-related objectives for 2001 include implementing capital investments that result in solid returns;
developing awareness programs that educate guests and team members about saving money while protecting the environment
through energy efficiency; and fostering a supportive environment that sustains best management practices to conserve
energy.
As part of Energy Star, several Hilton properties have long been monitoring energy usage and implementing savings
measures. The Waldorf-Astoria® in New York recently replaced 1,700 T12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts
with T8 lamps, while its 100-watt incandescent bulbs were switched to 13-watt compact fluorescent lamps. These
retrofits saved the property 1.2 million kilowatt-hours annually, an approximate savings of $72,000 per year.
The Hilton Hawaiian Village® Beach Resort and Spa, the largest resort in the state of Hawaii, has lowered energy
consumption at the property with the help of the Energy Star strategy since 1998. The hotel installed motion-sensored
lighting, more efficient kitchen lighting, and window film in the ballroom lounge area, and is currently in the
initial phases of installing an overall energy- management system at the property.
Hilton Hotels is recognized internationally as a pre-eminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages
or franchises approximately 1,900 hotels, resorts and vacation-ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many
of the world's best-known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton®, Conrad(TM), Doubletree®,
Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Harrison Conference Centers®,
Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Company®, Homewood Suites® by Hilton and Red Lion Hotels
& Inns®.
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Contact:
Hilton Hotels Corp., Beverly Hills
Kathy Shepard, 310/205-7676