In 2015 Ohio hospitals saved enough energy to power 10,351 homes for a year.
OHA’s Energy & Sustainability program assists hospitals with energy procurement, advocacy, ENERGY STAR benchmarking, energy audits, pollution prevention and environmentally conscious sustainability programs.
In the five year period ending June 2016, hospitals participating in OHA’s ENERGY STAR benchmarking project saved enough money to hire 137 nurses, and reduced their carbon footprint equivalent to taking 22,168 cars off the road or the climate benefits of 2.7 million mature trees.
OHA has been active before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on behalf of hospitals since the 1990's, saving hospitals millions of dollars in rate cases and working to connect them with financial incentives offered by utilities and government for the completion of energy efficiency projects.
To participate in OHA’s free ENERGY STAR benchmarking program, hospitals should email OHA at energy@ohiohospitals.org.
Energy Procurement Programs
OHA offers members natural gas and electric supply. The natural gas program, established in 1998, includes a free comparison of natural gas supply offers as well as market information. OHA’s electricity supply program began in 2011. OHA’s procurement program is overseen by OHA's Board of Trustees.
All revenue received by OHA for its energy supply programs remain in OHA’s Energy and Sustainability Program and support free hospital ENERGY STAR benchmarking, representation of hospital interests before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, free or discounted hospital engineering education, technical communications such as OHA’s weekly Energy Cup Update email newsletter and support for OHA’s affiliated Ohio Society for Health Care Facilities Management.
For more information about OHA’s energy procurement program, email OHA at energy@ohiohospitals.org.
Ohio Ranks 1st Nationally in ENERGY STAR Hospitals
ENERGY STAR Hospitals save about 35 percent on energy costs as compared to typical hospitals. OHA offers participating hospitals access to the energy utilization database, enabling them to benchmark their energy efficiency and qualify for an ENERGY STAR rating.
Ohio ENERGY STAR hospitals:
- Adena Greenfield Medical Center
- Barnesville Hospital
- Firelands Regional Medical Center
- Good Samaritan Hospital
- Mercy Medical Center
- Mercy Tiffin Hospital
- Mercy Willard Hospital
- Miami Valley Hospital South
- ProMedica Bay Park Hospital
- Southern Ohio Medical Center
- Summa St. Thomas Hospital
- The Ohio State University Hospital East
P2 University
OHA’s Pollution Prevention University is a hands-on approach to evaluate waste systems. Participating hospitals learn how to identify cost saving opportunities for pollution prevention and waste minimization activities, review the requirements of the Joint Commission's Environment of Care Standards involving the safe management of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes, prepare pollution prevention plans and programs to increase compliance with state and federal laws, and conduct a thorough audit of a hospital waste stream.
Hospital waste assessments for pollution prevention:
Energy & Sustainability Resources
Ohio Society for Health Care Facilities Management
OSHFM was established as an affiliated society of OHA in 1983 to advance the development of hospital engineering, security and safety in Ohio. For more information, visit the OSHFM webpage.
Environmental Leadership Council
The governing board of the Ohio Hospital Association established more than 15 years ago a board committee named the Environmental Leadership Council. The mission of that Council is to lead Ohio hospitals toward the goals of environmental sustainability, regulatory compliance, energy efficiency and pollution prevention, all of which will result in healthier hospital workforce and communities. The first chair of the Council was Melvin Creeley, then CEO of the East Liverpool City Hospital. In recognition of his service, the Council established annual Melvin Creeley awards for those hospitals demonstrating environmental leadership. In addition, the Council created the John Chapman Award, which is awarded annually to the hospital eligible for the Melvin Creeley award that has demonstrated the highest level of environmental leadership.
OHA Energy Cup — Battle of the Buildings
The Ohio Hospital Association Energy & Sustainability Program last week announced three award-winning hospitals in the 2017 OHA Energy Cup competition.
Eighty-seven Ohio hospitals participated in the competition to reduce energy use and limit greenhouse gas emissions. Over 60 percent of participating hospitals reduced their energy use in 2017. Many Ohio hospitals took advantage of energy rebates provided by Ohio's utilities to increase cost savings and dramatically shorten the return on investment, or the effect of planting 5,127 acres of forest.
Participants competed in three categories: large hospitals (more than 250,000 square feet), small hospitals (less than 250,000 square feet) and non-hospital medical buildings. Winners were determined based on greatest energy savings in 2017 use versus 2016 use. All results were validated by an engineer and verified in the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager portal.
The top 2017 Energy Cup award winners are:
- Large Hospital: Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital – 9.25 percent reduction
- Small Hospital: Adams County Regional Medical Center – 17.38 percent reduction
- Non-Hospital: University Hospitals Landerbrook Health Center (Mayfield Heights) – 29.22 percent reduction
This annual competition is supported by AEP Ohio and Dayton Power & Light. The awards will be presented at the OHA Energy & Sustainability Program luncheon June 5 during the OHA Annual Meeting in Columbus. For additional information about the OHA Energy Cup, contact Nolan Rutschilling.