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Nanaimo's 'green' emergency department earns recognition

NANAIMO – B.C. Hydro presented Nanaimo Regional General Hospital with a plaque in recognition of its energy-saving measures.

Going green is saving Nanaimo Regional General Hospital’s emergency department an estimated $65,000 a year.

B.C. Hydro recently awarded Island Health’s NRGH emergency department with recognition for its energy conservation measures, which is saving one million kilowatt hours and approximately $65,000 each year.

Since opening in October 2012, the department has used natural lighting, low-flow water fixtures and a thermal energy system to heat and cool the building. An energy study and business case for energy initiatives was also created thanks to $451,000 in incentives from B.C. Hydro’s New Construction Program.

“B.C. Hydro has been instrumental in providing the incentives and resources to help us design and build a better building, which will help meet the ambitious targets for carbon reduction set out by the provincial government,” said Deanna Fourt, director of energy efficiency and conservation for Island Health. “We all want cost-effective buildings that have lower environmental impacts because the buildings we create today will impact our community for the next 50 years or longer.”