Last month, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston garnered top awards from the government for their efforts in fighting rising greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Each healthcare organization earned the Energy Star Partner of the Year Award from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. All Energy Star award winners were cited as leaders within the energy efficiency movement.
NewYork-Presbyterian, the country's largest hospital, covers 8.6 million square feet across 33 buildings. The EPA and DOE said it is among the top 2 percent of energy users in the New York City metro area, but it has sustained "leadership in communicating the importance of saving energy and preventing climate change." Some of NewYork-Presbyterian's primary efforts include recruiting 200 "green champions" to drive sustainability throughout the organization and participating in "Un-Power Hour," in which all hospital employees turn off unnecessary lights and conduct other energy efficiency measures every first Tuesday of the month from 1-2 p.m.
The EPA and DOE said Memorial Hermann has been a "steward of community resources and environmental responsibility." Memorial Hermann — the largest nonprofit health system in Houston that encompasses 8.8 million square feet across numerous facilities — saved $1.6 million in energy costs in 2013 despite adding more than 51,000 square feet of new facility space.
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