ALBANY, N.Y. - The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced a new initiative to assist the health care industry in reducing energy costs and improving the environment while enhancing the treatment of patients. The New York Energy $mart^SM Focus on Healthcare will help health care facilities in identifying cost-effective investments in energy efficiency that will improve overall energy performance.

Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO of NYSERDA, said, “The health care industry is under constant pressure to control costs without impacting patient care. The Focus on Healthcare initiative will assist health care facilities access NYSERDA funding opportunities that realize energy cost savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under the leadership of Governor David A. Paterson, New York continues to position itself as a leader in the clean-energy economy. Investments in energy efficiency will create jobs, rebuild our economy, and fulfill the ‘15 by 15’ goal of reducing electric consumption 15 percent by 2015.”

Luthin Associates, an energy consulting company, was competitively selected to assist NYSERDA in developing programmatic education and outreach efforts for the health care industry. Assisted by the City University of New York (CUNY) through their Center for Sustainable Energy, Luthin Associates will help health care facilities make informed energy decisions about the benefits of investing in energy efficiency, as well as the financial assistance the facilities could be eligible to receive through one of NYSERDA’s incentive programs.

Catherine Luthin, principal of Luthin Associates, said, “We are excited to assist health care institutions control costs and promote energy efficiency. In this period of budget uncertainty, opportunities to reduce costs will help these institutions to carry out their primary focus of providing health care.”

Ron Spalter, deputy chief operating officer of CUNY, said, “As a public university we look forward to sharing our extensive resources and experience with the health care industry as we champion the changes our community and our society require for a viable and sustainable future.”

For more information on the New York Energy $mart Focus on Healthcare, e-mail healthcare@nyserda.org or call the hotline at 866-774-8818.

Publication date: 06/15/2009