Sterling Planet, Inc. announced recently that the InterContinental New York Barclay, New York City’s landmark historic hotel, is now supported by 100 percent wind energy. Sterling Planet, leader in the renewable energy market, supplies the 685-room luxury hotel with wind energy through renewable energy certificates (RECs), the Barclay is among the first New York Hotels to source 100% wind energy.

Sterling Planet will provide the InterContinental New York Barclay with over 6.3 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of Green-e Energy® certified RECs from nationwide wind resources to offset 100 percent of the hotel’s conventional electricity. Electricity produced from renewable resources reduces the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), a key greenhouse gas, released into the environment. Wind power is a particularly favorable renewable option because the operation of wind generators produces zero emissions. These RECs offset approximately 8.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide. The environmental benefit is equivalent to not driving 865 passenger cars for one year, 499 households’ annual electricity use, 3,241 acres of pine or fir forests storing carbon for one year, or 1,523 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled. Beyond these environmental benefits, RECs help build a market for renewable electricity (“green power” or commodity electricity bundled with RECs), increase energy diversity and security, reduce dependence on foreign energy sources, support domestic economies and create U.S. jobs.


The Barclay initiated a holistic corporate responsibility program entitled, "Sustainability in the City" in January, 2010. “Our approach is based on our commitment to the Triple Bottom Line of People, Profit, and Planet, which includes numerous efforts addressing the needs of our hotel, neighborhood and the world community,” said Hervé Houdré, regional director of Operations & general manager of the InterContinental New York Barclay. “We are glad to add wind energy to our ever-expanding energy conservation initiatives,” Houdré continued.

InterContinental New York Barclay staff members have formed a variety of committees addressing issues such as education, health, sustainable purchasing, and reducing energy and waste. Some of the environmental successes in the past year have included: most food offered at the Barclay is organic, seasonal, natural or local, including our popular Natural Power Breakfast.; the Barclay has a waste management program which includes composting and reduced paper consumption. Eight-five percent of the hotel’s lighting is achieved with Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. The InterContinental New York Barclay has “adopted” The Boys and Girls Club of Harlem and East Side Community High School and has forged a partnership which links that school with Hatua Likoni School and orphanage in Kenya. The hotel raises funds for Haiti, Chile and many other causes such as domestic violence, animal shelters and Cancer organizations.


“This purchase of 100 percent wind renewable energy certificates reflects a strong commitment to the environment and to the development of further renewable resources,” said Mel Jones, chief executive officer for Sterling Planet. “We are proud to partner with the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel in their sustainable business endeavors.” Sterling Planet currently provides RECs to some of the top purchasers in the country, including Fortune 500 companies and clients in the mandated markets. The company also supports programs that foster stewardship for the community and environment.

Sterling Planet has been a national leader in innovative clean energy solutions since 2000. The first company with a nationwide retail offer of wind, solar, biomass and other forms of renewable energy, Sterling Planet has delivered billions of renewable energy kilowatt-hours in both voluntary and mandated markets. Clients include more than 100 utility partners, as well as multinational corporations, government agencies, educational and nonprofit institutions, and individual consumers. Sterling Planet also offers carbon offsets to counteract greenhouse gas emissions and White Tags® energy efficiency certificates, which the company introduced to the U. S. in 2006. Inspired by what the world can be, Sterling Planet focuses on the triple bottom line, supporting programs such as Girl Talk, Inc., Solar Light for Africa, Sierra Leone International Mission School and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. For more information about Sterling Planet, please visit www.sterlingplanet.com, or follow them on Facebook.


InterContinental New York Barclay
Restored to its 1926 neo-Federal style, the classic, contemporary InterContinental New York Barclay welcomes guests with a heightened level of personalized service, residential warmth and luxury and a vigorous Sustainable Hospitality program. The Barclay is located off fashionable Park Avenue in the heart of midtown Manhattan’s east side near the city’s most exclusive Fifth Avenue shopping, dining, Broadway theaters, museums, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Central Park and the United Nations headquarters. Offering 685 luxurious guest rooms, including 86 suites, the Barclay is the hotel of choice for the world's business, diplomatic, cultural and social circles. Eighteen well-appointed function rooms provide elegant venues for corporate events, meetings, and social celebrations. InterContinental New York Barclay, 111 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017 Tel. (212) 755-5900. www.intercontinentalnybarclay.com