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Elk Regional Health Center implements new heating system |
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Written by Publisher
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Tuesday, 05 February 2008 |
 Several federal, state and local officials as well as hospital representatives were on hand yesterday to take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony which was held at Elk Regional Health Center to announce the completion of the facility’s new biomass energy heating system.
By Grace Kriegisch
Daily Press Staff
Several federal, state and local officials as well as hospital representatives were on hand to witness a ribbon cutting ceremony which was held yesterday at Elk Regional Health Center. The event marked the implementation of the new biomass energy heating system project that was recently completed at the facility.
By partnering with Advanced Recycling Systems of St. Marys, and several other federal, state and local agencies, the Elk Regional management team met the challenge of significantly reducing its energy costs. The project has also presented a tremendous boost to the local economy since all the fuel used at the hospital is produced locally and is delivered by local trucking. It has proved to be a win-win situation for all involved.
To complete the project, Elk Regional Health system has received a $300,000 community Facility loan from USDA Rural Development which has been used toward the purchase and installation of the new 16 million BTU combustion biomass energy heating system.
A second Community Facilities loan for $1,475,000 has been awarded by Rural Development to fund the new maintenance building and boiler house that will accommodate the new energy heating system.
Additional funds for the project include a Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority Grant in the amount of $500,0000 and a USDA Forest Service Woody Biomass Utilization Grant in the amount of $250,000.
The success of this $2.3 million venture, makes Elk Regional the first community hospital to bring a project of this magnitude to reality. With the new system in place, the entire facility is now heated with wood by products, at a fraction of the cost of using traditional heating materials such as oil or natural gas.
Greg Bauer, President/CEO of Elk Regional stated, “Elk Regional is proud to be reducing our energy costs, it enables us to spend more to take care of our patients.” That is the mission of this hospital.”
“The federal government made a commitment to forest counties across this nation more than a century ago, and securing this vital biomass grant is a necessary step in seeing that it remain valid.” said Congressman John Peterson at yesterday’s event. Peterson, who recently received the Nation Rural Health Association’s ‘Legislative Award’ added, “I’ve dedicated my career as an elected official to delivering more affordable health care and energy to rural America, and I’ve been proud to be in a position to support community health centers every step along the way, including to help secure this grant for Elk Regional Health System.
“This project reflects the growing trend towards meeting energy needs through the use of renewable energy and the subsequent energy savings,” said Gary H. Groves, Pennsylvania State Director. “As the nation moves in the direction of renewable energy, we at USDA Rural Development are committed to the future of our rural communities with our renewable energy funding programs, and the $1,775,000 investment by Rural Development to this project demonstrates this commitment. Additionally, I’d like to recognize Gary Reed, Area Specialist in Rural Development’s Mill Hall office who helped guide the hospital on this unique and ultimately successful project,” added Groves.
USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal agency for rural development needs by offering financial and technical assistance to individuals, businesses and communities. USDA Rural Development programs include funding for day care centers, fire trucks and other community facility projects; the purchase, construction and repair of homes; loans and guarantees to rural businesses to save or create jobs and loans and grants for water and sewer utility projects. For more information on programs offered by Rural USDA Rural Development, contact the Pennsylvania State Office at (717)-237-2299 or visit its website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/pa.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 06 February 2008 )
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