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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2010
Contacts:
Courtney Quatrino, National Grid
315-428-5891
Jeffrey Gordon, NYSERDA
518-862-1090, ext. 3544
NATIONAL GRID and NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCE JOINT INITIATIVE TO HELP HOSPITALS REDUCE ENERGY USAGE, CONTROL COSTS AND MINIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Program to help hospitals cut energy costs by as much as 20 percent launched at SUNY Upstate Medical University
July 19, 2010 – National Grid and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority today launched “Energy Efficiency For Health,” a powerful new partnership to help National Grid’s hospital customers across New York State reduce their energy usage, save on operating costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient use of electricity and natural gas.
Under the new initiative, National Grid and NYSERDA will work together to provide hospitals with individualized and targeted technical assistance as well as up to $10 million in funding for energy efficiency initiatives that will generate as much as $5 million in annual energy savings.
Upstate University Hospital, the teaching hospital of SUNY Upstate Medical University, which has already instituted a number of energy-savings initiatives, is the first hospital in Upstate New York to participate in the energy efficiency cost-saving program and kicked off the event at its facility in Syracuse
Energy savings support will be offered for lighting, heating, cooling, insulation, retrocommissioning, data center operations, and other energy-intensive operations.
“National Grid is committed to assisting our customers in reducing their carbon footprint and saving money by wisely managing their energy usage and we are happy to partner with NYSERDA to help hospitals control energy costs,” said National Grid President Tom King. “SUNY Upstate Medical is the ideal first participant in Upstate New York because they are committed to operating in an environmentally sound manner as demonstrated by their leadership in providing energy efficient services to the Syracuse community.”
“Energy management is absolutely critical for hospitals to control costs while minimizing environmental impacts,” said NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray, Jr. “Combining the energy expertise and resources of National Grid and NYSERDA will provide hospitals with the best options possible to meet their growing energy needs. This important partnership will give hospitals targeted and individualized energy solutions to help cut their energy costs by as much as 20 percent and allow them to focus more resources on patient care and support where they belong.”
“Energy Efficiency For Health” brings together the program and technical resources of National Grid and NYSERDA to work collaboratively to identify energy efficiency opportunities for New York State hospitals, provide hands on account management, and assist hospitals through the design and implementation of sustainable, cost reducing, energy efficient measures and practices. Customized lists of energy efficiency measures will be developed and prioritized based on payback on investment, a phased implementation plan and customer goals as they relate to advancing critical care practices.
“Upstate Medical University and Upstate University Hospital are delighted to be Upstate pioneers in this venture with National Grid and NYSERDA,” said Upstate President David R. Smith, M.D. “We have made significant strides in becoming a more energy-efficient employer and look forward with our National Grid-NYSERDA partnership to creating even greater savings and efficiencies through this program.”
About 75 to 100 of the largest hospitals across New York State in National Grid’s service area were selected to participate in “Energy Efficiency For Health” based on hospital type, size, number of beds and relative age. Prior project activity in energy efficiency programs was considered as well. The hospital initiative includes electric and gas energy efficiency programs.
- “Energy Efficiency For Health” consists of four main components:
- Technical Assistance Studies for hospitals interested in identifying their energy efficiency options.
- Energy Efficiency Incentives for retrofit and new construction projects to off-set the cost of energy efficiency improvements.
- Customer Installation Support to provide participating hospitals with a complete package that addresses all energy related issues critical to their facilities’ operation.
- Outreach, Education, and Marketing to recruit hospitals into the initiative.
To participate in the program, hospitals can call 1-866-774-8818. For additional information, customers can visit http://www.nyserda.org/HealthCare/default.asp. “Energy Efficiency For Health” provides up to $10 million in energy efficiency grants and will be available to hospitals for up to two years or as long as funds are available.
National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It isthe largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.
NYSERDA offers innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help consumers increase energy efficiency and save money while helping businesses create clean energy solutions. NYSERDA’s professionals help New Yorkers reduce energy consumption, increase the use of renewable energy, protect our environment and create clean energy jobs. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in NY since 1975.
SUNY Upstate Medical University is Central New York’s largest employer and the area’s only academic medical center, training medical professionals, conducting biomedical research and providing patient care through its teaching hospital, Upstate University Hospital, the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and an extensive network of specialty clinics, including the area’s only trauma center, burn center and poison center. Upstate is part of the State University of New York.
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