Energy management programs can dramatically improve the bottom line and build enthusiasm among patients and employees while raising the profile of health systems, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.
Kaiser Permanente has made a major commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent between 2008 and 2020, Seth Baruch, Kaiser's national director for energy and utilities, said in the article.
"Because of our renewable energy investments, such as solar and wind power, we're going to hit that goal three years early," he said.
"When we talk about our energy investments," he said, "we stress that not only are we saving money and helping to optimize the use of our members' money, but also we are addressing climate change and its impact on human health."