June 16, 2010

National Grid and New York State Energy Research and 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 Brooklyn’s Lutheran Medical Center

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. Lutheran Medical Center, which has already instituted a number of energy-savings initiatives,is the first hospital to participate in the energy efficiency cost-saving program and kicked off the event at its facility in Southwest Brooklyn. In 2008, the Lutheran HealthCare network (LHC) created a system wide Green Team to assist its facilities in operating in an environmentally sound manner. Green Team efforts include using environmentally safe filters in HVAC systems, switching to non VOC paints, using more recycled content paper, developing toner and medical recycling solutions, and even working with area coffee shops to give workers discounts for using their own cups. Lutheran was also one of the first New York City hospitals to install a natural gas cogeneration facility to efficiently produce some or all of its own electricity. Most recently, LHC completed a lighting retrofit which will save approximately $180,000 annually in energy costs and reduce its carbon footprint by 1.8 million pounds per year.

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. “Lutheran Medical Center is the ideal first participant because they are committed to operating in an environmentally sound manner as demonstrated by their leadership as one of the first New York City hospitals to install a natural gas cogeneration facility to efficiently power their buildings.”

“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.

“For 127 years Lutheran has defined health as the “total” well-being of the community including access to high quality care, decent housing, language and educational classes to help find a job, civic participation and more. Given what we know today about greenhouse gasses and global warming, we expanded that mission to commit ourselves to another component of health – our environment,” said Lutheran HealthCare President and CEO Wendy Z. Goldstein. “We are very pleased to partner with NYSERDA and National Grid to help launch this new energy savings initiative targeted specifically for hospitals and health care facilities.”

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. “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. “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.

The hospital initiative includes electric and gas energy efficiency programs. National Grid will be working with hospitals in its Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island market areas where the company provides natural gas service. A similar launch will be held in Upstate New York where NYSERDA and National Grid will collaborate on both electric and natural gas programs.

About National Grid

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 is the 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.

About NYSERDA

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.

About Lutheran Health Care

As Brooklyn's premier health care network, Lutheran HealthCare (LHC) is a comprehensive medical and social support system committed to providing services for the whole person -- physically, emotionally and spiritually. The LHC system of community health providers includes Lutheran Medical Center, the Lutheran Family Health Centers, Lutheran Augustana Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation, Community Care Organization, Inc, Health Plus, senior housing programs and more. Learn about LHC and its 127-year-old commitment to serving Brooklyn neighborhoods by visiting www.LutheranMedicalCenter.com.

Contact:

Jeffrey Gordon, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 ext. 3544
jrg@nyserda.ny.gov