NEW ORLEANS and
EDISON, N.J., April 19, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Bernhard, one of America's largest privately-owned
infrastructure firms, announced a groundbreaking 30-year
Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) partnership with Hackensack Meridian
Health (HMH), New Jersey's
largest health network.
Hackensack Meridian Health, a healthcare powerhouse
operating 18 hospitals across eight counties, with nearly 4,000
licensed beds and a workforce of approximately 35,000 employees and
6,500 physicians, is set to own the largest solar and battery
energy storage system of any not-for-profit healthcare provider in
the U.S., thanks to this pioneering collaboration. Nearly 98
percent of the project scope is solar and battery storage,
including 50,000 solar panels manufactured in the USA.
The 30-year agreement encompasses $134
million in infrastructure improvements, a 10 percent
reduction in carbon emissions, a 25 percent decrease in purchased
electricity, and 33 percent guaranteed energy savings. This project
solidifies Hackensack Meridian Health's dedication to
remaining the largest, most comprehensive, and truly integrated
healthcare network in New Jersey,
offering innovative research, life-enhancing care, and a complete
range of medical services.
"This partnership marks a significant milestone in sustainable
healthcare practices and underscores Hackensack Meridian
Health's unwavering commitment to energy resilience and
environmental sustainability," said Robert C. Garrett,
FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.
Bernhard, with more than 100 years of energy and infrastructure
project experience, stands as the largest turnkey
Energy-as-a-Service solutions provider in North America. The company combines
development, financing, design, construction, and operations to
offer comprehensive solutions that reduce energy use, risk, and
cost for clients across various sectors, including healthcare,
higher education, commercial, and specialty markets.
"Bernhard is proud to embark on this transformative journey with
Hackensack Meridian Health, utilizing our expertise to
deliver a turnkey Energy-as-a-Service solution that will not only
enhance operational efficiency but also contribute significantly to
environmental sustainability," stated Bernhard CEO Ed Tinsley.
Hackensack Meridian Health is already a leader in
sustainability, an effort that began more than a decade ago. Four
of its hospitals were the first in the country to earn the Joint
Commission's Sustainable Healthcare Certification earlier this
year. Hackensack University Medical Center, Bayshore Medical
Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Ocean University
Medical Center met rigorous standards of performance to establish
structure, rigor, and accountability to accelerate healthcare's
growing sustainability effort. The Joint Commission's SHC provides
a framework to help healthcare organizations begin, continue, or
expand their decarbonization efforts. It builds on the momentum of
healthcare organizations like Hackensack Meridian Health to
lead the way in sustainability excellence by inspiring and guiding
others who desire to prioritize greener practices.
"This partnership puts Hackensack Meridian Health on
course to meet critical sustainability and energy resilience goals
– complementing the State's initiatives to invest in renewable
energy and reduce our carbon footprint," said Governor
Phil Murphy. "I commend both
Hackensack Meridian Health and Bernhard for embarking on
this important partnership to bolster the energy infrastructure of
New Jersey's healthcare industry,
ensuring hospitals are prepared to continue delivering quality
care."
Additionally, Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert C. Garrett is Chair of the World Economic
Forum's (Forum) Health and Healthcare Governor's Community. In his
two-year term, Mr. Garrett is helping define the industry agenda
and driving change with the Forum to improve access to healthcare
and outcomes and to drive more efficiency in the industry. The
impact of climate change on personal health is a major item on the
agenda.
The 30-year partnership between Bernhard and HMH is not only a
testament to sustainable innovation but also a significant driver
of economic growth. This collaboration sets the stage for a
transformative impact on both the healthcare sector and the local
workforce. The creation of jobs is a cornerstone of this
initiative, primarily through the engagement of construction and
trades crews responsible for the implementation of energy-efficient
solutions. The workforce involved in executing these improvements
becomes an integral part of fostering a greener and more
sustainable future.
This partnership between Bernhard and Hackensack Meridian
Health signifies a commitment to sustainable practices,
operational efficiency, and the advancement of healthcare
infrastructure. It sets the stage for a greener and more resilient
future in the healthcare sector, showcasing the potential of
long-term collaborations in creating lasting positive impacts on
both business operations and the environment.
An explainer video is available here, and a rendering video is
available here. Both are courtesy Hackensack Meridian
Health & Bernhard.
ABOUT BERNHARD
Bernhard is one of the largest
privately-owned infrastructure firms in America, with 100+ years of
energy and infrastructure project experience servicing higher
education, health care, commercial, and specialty markets. Bernhard
combines development, financing, design, construction, and
operations to deliver turnkey Energy-as-a-Service solutions that
reduce energy use, risk, and cost so that our clients can focus on
their everyday work. Headquartered in Metairie, La., Bernhard has more than 2,200
employees in more than 20 office locations across the country. For
more information, visit Bernhard.com.
ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN
HEALTH
Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading
not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most
comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in
New Jersey, offering a complete
range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing
care. The network has 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care
locations, which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers,
home health services, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical
transportation, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers,
physician practice locations, and a fitness and wellness center.
With more than 35,000 team members and 7,000 physicians, Hackensack
Meridian Health is a distinguished leader in health care
philanthropy and committed to the health and well-being of
communities throughout New
Jersey.
The network's notable distinctions include having the only #1
ranked adult and children's hospitals in New Jersey, as ranked by U.S. News &
World Report, 2023-24. Hackensack University Medical Center is
nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report in six
specialties. To learn more, visit
www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.
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