N.Y.-Presbyterian Hospital earns two EPA Energy Star awards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized New York-Presbyterian Hospital with a 2013 Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award (CHP) for the hospital's efficient combined heat and power system at its Weill Cornell Medical Center campus. The hospital's cogeneration plant, which opened in 2009, is a system that provides combined heat and power (CHP), effectively creating a self-generating source of electricity and heat for the campus. By having its own CHP plant, the hospital is better protected from blackouts during weather-related events, ensuring that patient care can continue uninterrupted and that vital assets such as medical research facilities, diagnostic laboratories, and pharmaceutical supplies are safeguarded. An additional benefit of the cogeneration plant is its efficiency. The plant uses 27% less fuel than traditional methods of power supply. This improved efficiency prevents some 21,500 pounds of carbon dioxide entering the air - about the same as the amount released by more than 2,400 homes. This modern system generates up to 7.5 megawatts of electricity in a plant the size of a tractor trailer and produces up to 70,000 pounds of steam per hour. The steam is used to provide heating and hot water for staff and patients in an eco-friendly way. The EPA has long championed the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's efforts in sustainability. On March 26, the hospital is receiving its eighth Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management. The awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The 2013 Partner of the Year Awards for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals and employing innovative energy-efficiency approaches. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program, including energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors. Award winners are selected from the nearly 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. "EPA is recognizing NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for earning EPA's highest ENERGY STAR award — the 2013 Partner of the Year -- Sustained Excellence Award," said Bob Perciasepe, acting administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital leads the field with its commitment to energy efficiency and demonstrates how all Americans can save energy, save money, and create a healthier environment." "NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is committed to increasing energy efficiency through our partnership with ENERGY STAR, which helps protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Dr. Steven J. Corwin, CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. "Sustainability efforts are not only beneficial to the environment, but they help to promote good health and well-being, an integral part of our patient care and community service mission as an academic medical center." The CHP Award was presented in San Diego on February 20, 2013, and the Partner of the Year -- Sustained Excellence Award will be presented in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 2013.