Utility Helps NJ Hospitals Cure Energy Ills

The state is pushing energy efficiency as a way to reduce utility bills and harmful emissions contributing to global climate change, but few have embraced the cause as ardently as New Jersey’s fiscally strapped hospitals.

But these initiatives are only happening with a helping hand from the state’s largest gas and electric utility. Take Trinitas Regional Medical Center, for example, a nonprofit hospital in Elizabeth with two campuses. It recently completed $3.7 million in energy efficiency upgrades to its facilities that will save it $390,000 annually and about $7.8 million over the 20-year lifespan of the new equipment.

The project was developed through a larger program developed by Public Service Electric & Gas, which will part with $129 million to help 32 hospitals throughout the state better manage their energy consumption. It is a hugely popular program.

PSE&G has completed projects at 22 hospitals, with work continuing at 10 more facilities. “We have 20 other hospitals on the waiting list right now -- we plan to file for additional funding later this year,’’ according to Fran Sullivan a spokesman for the utility.

At Trinitas, improvements were made in updating heating and water cooling systems as well as installation of state-of-the-art lighting and energy management technologies.

“It was something we were unable to do otherwise,’’ said Bill Stranahan, director of facilities management at Trinitas, referring to the PSE&G initiative. “We would have to come up with nearly $4 million to do this. We’re extremely happy with the whole project.’’

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