State and county officials joined energy efficiency advocates for a tour of the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Central Campus Plant in Dauphin County Thursday to showcase the energy efficiency retrofits that saved the Center millions annually, while improving the patient care experience.

The tour was hosted by the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA) to highlight the Hershey Medical Center as a model for how Pennsylvania health care systems-- and other energy-intensive businesses.

 “Energy Efficiency implementation is an important part of our mission. In addition to the tremendous impact on our financial bottom-line, the direct public health benefit of energy conservation enhances our Academic Health Center’s clinical, research and education missions,” said Marvin Smith, Assistant Vice President of Facilities

Utilizing Pennsylvania Act 129, the state’s energy efficiency resource program, Hershey Medical Center a chilled water optimization plant and is in the process of installing a combined heat and power (CHP) plant.

This technology generates electricity and captures heat that would otherwise be wasted to provide useful thermal energy—such as steam or hot water—that can be used for space heating, cooling, domestic hot water and sterilization processes.

The CHP, along with upgraded heating ventilation, air conditioning and lighting, has helped Hershey Medical Center save $2.7 million annually. These upgrades work together to control energy costs on the campus so that the maximum amount of funding is available to patients and doctors for treatments, research and teaching.

“Act 129 is helping Pennsylvania’s residents, businesses, and non-profit institutions save considerable amounts of both energy and money.  Those who take advantage of Act 129 have more capital to grow their business or invest in critical services.  And Act 129 construction and retrofit programs support an array of local jobs that cannot be outsourced,” said Matt Elliott, Executive Director of the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA).

The collective benefits are a direct result of Act 129, the state’s cornerstone energy efficiency and conservation law. Hershey Medical Center, like many other Pennsylvania organizations, benefits directly from Act 129 programs that have businesses save money on energy and enable them to concentrate investments in mission-driven programs.

Energy efficiency is also a significant and growing job creator in Pennsylvania.

A 2017 report from KEEA and Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) found that 62,000 Pennsylvanians work in clean energy. Those jobs include construction workers, engineers, energy auditors, product manufacturers, software developers, and others. 

Projects like those showcased at Hershey Medical Center support workers in many such professions.

The tour was attended by lawmakers who serve near Hershey Medical Center, including Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin), Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries, and staff from the offices of Congressman Scott Perry and Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York).

Jodi Hoffman of PPL Electric Utilities represented the project’s utility partner on the tour.

Click Here for more on Act 129 and other case studies.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance website.

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[Posted: June 7, 2018]

6/11/2018