PSE&G and Hackensack University Medical Center Win Regional Energy Project of the Year Award
Five-year energy efficiency project expected to save hospital $1.3 million annually
(Newark, N.J. – Dec.17, 2018) – Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) and Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center are recipients of a 2018 Regional Energy Project of the Year Award from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). The award was given in recognition of energy efficiency work completed at Hackensack University Medical Center through the PSE&G Hospital Efficiency Program. The project is expected to save the hospital more than $1.3 million annually in energy costs.
“Our Hospital Efficiency Program is helping facilities like Hackensack University Medical Center save significant dollars on energy costs that they can use to advance their health care mission,” said Karen Reif, vice president – renewables and energy solutions for PSE&G. “Hospitals are integral parts of the communities we serve, so it is always an honor to be recognized for the work that we do with them.”
PSE&G’s Hospital Efficiency Program and Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center were lauded by the AEE for an extensive chilled water system upgrade, as well as repairs and replacements to components of the hospital’s steam system, conversion of parking garage lighting to LEDs and the installation of a device that captures and utilizes residual heat from a boiler exhaust vent. The $13.1 million project was completed in three phases spanning five years. In addition to the significant dollar savings, the project will also conserve more than 5.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is enough to power more than 750 homes for a year and 340,000 therms of natural gas annually, which is enough to supply about 350 homes for a year.
“Hackensack University Medical Center is proud to partner with PSE&G through its Hospital Efficiency Program,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president of Hackensack University Medical Center and vice president, Population Health for Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are committed to sustainability, and creating innovative partnerships and initiatives that foster a healthier and cleaner environment. As health care providers, we have a responsibility to promote health and wellness, and environmental responsibility is a critical component of that effort.”
The PSE&G Hospital Efficiency Program is a $199 million effort that funds the installation of energy conservation measures at hospitals and healthcare facilities in PSE&G’s electric and/or gas service territory. PSE&G provides up-front funding for the total cost of the energy efficiency improvements and interest-free, on-bill repayment for the hospital’s share of the costs, which is typically between 30 percent and 40 percent of the total. Work has been completed at 36 hospitals, with an average annual energy cost savings of about $400,000 per hospital.
PSE&G recently filed a Clean Energy Future proposal with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to make critical investments in clean energy and advanced technology that would propel New Jersey’s role as a national leader in energy efficiency and jump-start other clean energy priorities.
“We’ve proposed extensive investments in energy efficiency, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, energy storage and advanced metering technologies,” said Reif. “As part of these investments, PSE&G seeks to continue bringing the benefits of energy efficiency to even more hospitals and healthcare facilities.”
The AEE is a nonprofit professional society of over 18,000 members who work to promote the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry while also fostering action for sustainable development. The AEE Regional Energy Project of the Year Award recognizes an innovative energy management project in each of AEE's 15 regions around the world. PSE&G and Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center were recognized in Region I, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
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Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company. In 2018, PSEG was named a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability North American Index for the 11th year in a row.
About Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, a 781-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is now part of one of the largest networks in the state comprised of 33,000 team members and more than 6,500 physicians.
Hackensack University Medical Center was listed as one of the top two hospitals in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s 2018-19 Best Hospital rankings. It was also named one of the top five New York Metro Area hospitals. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2018. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 25 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: the John Theurer Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center® and listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to THE NORTHERN TRUST PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Children’s Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. To learn more, visit www.HackensackUMC.org.
