Environmental Leader

Atascadero State Hospital plans to install solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and retrofit its heating and ventilation system, SanLuisObisopo.com reports. The upgrades will be funded by a $1.3 million loan recently approved by the California Energy Commission under the commission’s Energy Efficiency Financing program, says Craig Dacus, public information officer, Atascadero State Hospital.

According to the commission, the upgrades should lower the hospital’s annual energy costs by more than $152,000 a year and reduce overall energy consumption by 22 percent.

The hospital will also receive a one-time $365,000 rebate from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Southern California Gas Co.

The loan are anticipated to be repaid in seven years at an annual interest rate of no more than 3.95 percent.

Other hospitals, including some under BlueCross BlueShield  and Sacred Heart Medical Center, are also incorporating green buildings and policies.

In other healthcare related news, a recent study released by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering and Johnson Controls reveals that healthcare executives place a higher priority on energy efficiency than executives in other industries.

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