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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Josh Shapiro |
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Pennsylvania
DEP awards Abington Memorial Hospital funding
for green projects
ABINGTON, Feb. 4 – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Energy and Technology Development has awarded two grants to Abington Memorial Hospital in support of its efforts to "go green."
Three million dollars was awarded to Abington Memorial Hospital for a new cogeneration system to replace the hospital’s 45-year-old heating and cooling system. This new system will save over $2 million a year in energy costs and significantly reduce air contaminants and water usage. It will generate 38 million kilowatt hours on-site, roughly 66 percent of the hospital’s electricity needs, while producing only steam as a byproduct.
A $250,000 grant was awarded for the replacement of inefficient lighting technology with proven efficient long-lasting fluorescent tube technology in four parking garages at the hospital’s main campus. Calculated savings include a reduction in electricity usage of 53 percent with accompanying emissions at the same rate.
"As a non-profit, we do as much environmentally conscious work as we can with very little budgeted dollars," said Meg McGoldrick, chief operating officer and member of the hospital’s Green Team. "These grants are a real shot in the arm for our green efforts."
McGoldrick said state Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, was a strong advocate for the hospital’s grant applications.
Shapiro says he is proud to have been able to help secure these grants to create green jobs and reduce energy consumption and emissions in his district.
"These grants will help boost our local economy and reduce the amount of air contaminants in our air and water sources, and decrease the hospital’s demand for electricity," Shapiro said. "I commend Abington Memorial Hospital for its commitment to clean up our environment and energy efficiency."
In October 2006, the state DEP recognized Abington Memorial Hospital by presenting it with the Trailblazer Award for the hospital’s environmental leadership in taking positive steps to reduce waste, improve indoor air quality and invest in reusable rather than disposable products.
Shapiro represents the 153rd Legislative
District in Montgomery County. For more information, visit www.pahouse.com/Shapiro.
For more information about Abington Memorial Hospital’s green initiatives, please visit www.amh.org/ThinkGreen .