Pacific Hospitality Group (PHG) announced that its Meritage Collection property, Bacara Resort & Spa, is the recipient of the 2016 Cool Planet Award presented by Southern California Edison (SCE) and The Climate Registry. PHG and its Doubletree by Hilton at Irvine-Spectrum and Santa Ana-Orange County Airport properties also received honorable mentions for their green energy initiatives during the awards ceremony that took place last fall.

The Cool Planet Award recognizes SCE business customers that demonstrate exemplary leadership in energy and carbon management within its business size and industry sector. Bacara Resort & Spa earned the highest honor for its exemplary leadership in energy efficient projects, participation in demand response programs, and establishment of environmental and greenhouse gas emissions management systems.

“We are proud to receive this recognition for Bacara and our company’s overall efforts in energy conservation,” said Steve Arnold, COO and President, PHG. “Our company is dedicated to continuing to improve our green initiatives while also delivering exceptional service and experiences to our guests.”

About $800,000 Spent on Energy Projects

PHG and its properties have made energy and carbon management a top priority through its dedicated energy-saving initiatives and carbon solutions. Since its inception, the Orange County based company has invested an estimated $800,000 on energy projects.

“The State of California has shown courageous political leadership over the years, fortified by the recent extension and intensification of the SB 32 climate legislation,” said David Rosenheim, Executive Director of the Climate Registry. “We congratulate the 2016 Cool Planet recipients for the spectacular job they have done demonstrating how a smaller carbon footprint can correlate with a business’ long-term prosperity.”

An integral resource to the PHG properties in this success was its partnership with Willdan, a company founded in 1964 that has partnered with local utility providers such as Southern California Edison to provide its customers program support, engineering and energy efficiency guidance.