Marriott's Green Hotels

Marriott is proud that the Inn & Conference Center by Marriott, at the University of Maryland in the greater Washington, D.C. region, has been designated the first environmentally-friendly hotel and conference center in the U.S. by acquiring the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. This certification is based on numerous criteria including water conservation and efficiency, materials and resources waste reduction, recycling, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site planning.

The Inn & Conference Center blends environmentally responsible design with beauty. The hotel earned its designation by focusing on four key areas:

1. Use of environment-friendly building materials:
   Wood is certified as coming from a renewable source; wood stains are water-based and do not release hazardous vapors; paints and wallpaper glue are eco-friendly, as well.
2. Recycling:
   Recycled materials were used in construction; energy recovery units were installed.
3. Water conservation:
   Bathrooms offer guests an option for using either low or high water volumes; guests are encouraged to reuse bath towels and bed linens rather than receive new sets every day.
4. Smoke-free environment:
   Like all Marriott hotels in the U.S. and Canada, the Inn & Conference Center is smoke-free.

Jefferson Thomas, Marriott's Sr. Design Manager and a LEED-certified architect says, "These efforts not only provide energy efficiencies but help to reduce greenhouse gases and create a healthy environment for our guests."

Other notable features of The Inn & Conference Center at the University of Maryland include:

• Enhanced energy efficiency - 37% more efficient than comparable buildings
• Plants and grasses that require less water and energy usage to maintain landscaping
• 65% of construction materials were recycled
• Natural lighting was maximized
• Installation of a system that monitors air composition in each room, drawing in more fresh air from outside as needed

The Inn & Conference Center is the first of several “Green Marriott” hotels that will be featured.

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Green Your Stay

CLEAN CURRENTS AND RESIDENCE INN CAPITOL BY MARRIOTT ANNOUNCE INNOVATIVE PROGRAM TO GREEN UP HOTEL’S ENERGY

Firms Offering ‘Green Your Stay’ to Marriott Guests

WASHINGTON, DC (October 17, 2007) – Clean Currents and Residence Inn Capitol by Marriott unveiled an innovative new program today to offer the hotel’s guests the option of greening their energy use. The “Green Your Stay” program will allow guests to pay a small premium to purchase renewable energy for their hotel room.

Residence Inn Capitol by Marriott has already been purchasing green energy to meet 50% of its needs through Clean Currents since June. The new program is aimed at greening up the remaining 50%.

“This program is geared for the people who don’t leave their environmental conscious at home when they travel,” said David Ragland, General Manager of the Residence Inn Capitol by Marriott. “Working with Clean Currents, we’ve made it easy for consumers to make green choices.”

Residence Inn Capitol by Marriott is implementing several green measures beyond electricity: • 99% fluorescent lighting in the hotel • Water-saving laundry processes with fewer chemicals • Digital motion-sensing HVAC systems in each guest suite • In-hotel recycling program for operations and guests

Clean Currents is a licensed clean energy broker and aggregator in Maryland and also operates in the District of Columbia, Chicago, Texas, and other areas where there is a competitive electricity market. It was established in 2005 to promote solutions to today’s biggest environmental challenges – global warming and air pollution, and to assist businesses in taking a greater responsibility for protecting the environment while conducting their operations.

“We were thrilled to join with the Residence Inn Capitol by Marriott to create a unique way for consumers to help the environment,” said Gary Skulnik, Co-founder and President of Clean Currents. “We expect to bring this program to other hotels around the country.”

The two companies measured the hotel’s annual energy use and developed the program whereby the Marriott will purchase Wind Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from Clean Currents for each customer that elects to green his or her stay.

“More and more businesses are coming to understand that technology exists today to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming,” Skulnik said. “Businesses can go green, help the environment, and possibly save money when they work with Clean Currents.”

For more information about Clean Currents, go to: www.cleancurrents.com. For more information about Residence Inn Capitol by Marriott go to www.marriott.com/wascp # # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bill Bronrott, 301-896-0003 and email: bbcomm@aol.com

©2007 Clean Currents LLC
301-754-0430
gogreen@cleancurrents.com

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