Rochester General Hospital Receives $300,000 in Federal Stimulus Funding for Energy Conservation Project

August 2010

Joined by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, officials from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced an award of more than $300,000 to Rochester General Hospital to fund a lighting retrofit project. Rochester General Hospital CEO Mark Clement said that the award, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will save the hospital more than $80,000 per year in energy costs.

Rochester General Hospital’s energy-efficient lighting project is one of eight energy conservation and renewable energy projects in Monroe County totaling $1.2 million in federal ARRA support. These funds will help local governments, educational institutions, and not-for-profit organizations reduce energy costs by more than $400,000 annually. The funds also support four energy conservation studies that will help to identify additional projects where greater energy efficiencies and cost-savings can be achieved.

“This is another stunning example of federal Recovery funding paying dividends in our region,” said Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. “Thanks to this stimulus grant, Rochester General will save as much energy as 158 single family homes use each year, and saving energy means saving money. When we passed the stimulus package last year, we made it clear that part of what we wanted to do was invest in a new, more environmentally sustainable economy and when Rochester General will see a return on investment in 3 and a half years, I see that as a very worthwhile use of funds.”

The funding announced will allow the hospital to replace less efficient high pressure sodium and metal halide light fixtures in two parking garages with more efficient T-8 fluorescent fixtures. After installation, energy consumption will be reduced by nearly 1 million kilowatt hours annually and provide improved lighting quality in the parking garages.

Mark C. Clement, president and CEO of Rochester General Health System said:“For the past several years, Rochester General Health System has earned national recognition for quality and efficiency in a number of clinical areas. The lighting project, funded in large part by federal ARRA grant, enables us to continue our focus on becoming a more efficient and environmentally friendly organization. We’re extremely grateful for the support of Congresswoman Slaughter and NYSERDA that has helped make this project possible.”

Francis J. Murray, president and CEO of NYSERDA said, “All across New York State, federal stimulus funds are helping hospitals, local governments, K-12 schools and higher education institutions lower energy costs and reduce their carbon footprints, while creating green jobs for our clean energy economy. I commend Rochester General Hospital for their commitment to reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment. This lighting project, along with the many other energy conservation and clean energy projects funded through ARRA, will help New York State achieve Governor David Paterson’s ambitious clean energy goals.”

“I applaud the efforts to assist in energy efficiency at a great healthcare asset like Rochester General Hospital,” said State Senator Joe Robach. “Anything to help costs and be more green efficient is absolutely a win-win situation.”

“Energy efficiency is a vital component to the success of our community and nation, and the City of Rochester remains committed to finding ways to conserve power and reduce energy costs,” Mayor Robert J. Duffy said. “Kudos to Rochester General Hospital for taking an active role on this issue. I’d like to thank Congresswoman Slaughter for her leadership and advocacy in helping bring these worthwhile projects to fruition, including monies received by the City for retrofitting.”

Federally funded Monroe County energy projects include:

University of Rochester, $487,000 for a project to upgrade the heating system that will reduce energy costs by $274,000 annually.
University of Rochester, $30,000 for two energy conservation studies
Cornell Cooperative Extension, $10,000 for an energy conservation study.
Temple Sinai, $9,127 for an energy conservation study
City of Rochester, $360,000 for two lighting retrofit projects that will reduce energy costs by $47,000 annually.
The twenty-eighth congressional district, which encompasses areas of Erie, Niagara, Monroe, and Orleans counties, has been awarded nearly $3.6 million in Recovery Act funds for 25 energy conservation and renewable energy projects. Combined, these projects will reduce the energy cost burden by over $1 million per year.