U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Building Technologies Program – EnergySmart Hospitals

American Society for Healthcare Engineering Annual Conference

EnergySmart Hospitals Launch
July 23, 2008

Associate Under Secretary for Energy Richard F. Moorer, U.S. Department of Energy, at the annual meeting of the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE). "With major hospital construction planned before 2014," Associate Under Secretary Moorer said, "we have a unique opportunity to help U.S. hospitals improve energy efficiency, which will reduce their energy costs and free up healthcare dollars that can be reinvested in patient care.

On July 23, 2008, Richard F. Moorer, DOE Associate Under Secretary for Energy, announced the launch of the EnergySmart Hospitals initiative at the Annual Business Meeting Breakfast of the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), before more than 700 ASHE members gathered for ASHE's annual conference. "Hospitals today find themselves at the nexus of two of our nation's most critical realities: rising healthcare costs and rising energy costs," Associate Under Secretary Moorer stated.

The hospital sector's central advocate and resource for continuous improvement in healthcare engineering and facilities management, ASHE is a member group of the American Hospital Association (AHA), representing 5,000 hospitals and 37,000 individual members. ASHE members present for the announcement will be key influencers on the planning, financing, and design of the estimated $200 billion in new hospital construction and upgrades anticipated over the next decade.

During his presentation to ASHE members gathered at the annual meeting, Executive Director Dale Woodin reported on progress with its E²C – Energy Efficiency Commitment - Initiative and on the Declaration on Sustainability developed by ASHE's Sustainability Task Force.

Improving the efficiency of civic infrastructure is an important priority for DOE. The EnergySmart Hospitals initiative is focused on developing the strategies, partnerships, tools, and resources to promote the use of energy-efficient technologies in the nation's hospitals.