Adventist HealthCare Named a Leading Green Power Purchaser

Story By Tom Grant​

Adventist HealthCare (AHC) earned accolades for its work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Green Power Partnership through its purchase of more than 5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually. AHC’s purchase is the largest by a healthcare services provider in the state of Maryland, and the fourth largest nationwide.

“This is a significant honor and we are very appreciative of the recognition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said William G. “Bill” Robertson, Adventist HealthCare president and CEO. “The purchase of green energy ensures that Adventist HealthCare will continue to be good stewards of our environmental and financial resources.”

AHC’s green purchase, which covers 2011-2014, demonstrates a proactive choice to switch from traditional sources of electricity generation and support cleaner renewable energy alternatives. The organization’s green power purchase was facilitated by its consultant, The Walker Group in Bethesda, which helped rework energy contracts that will help the health network avoid the creation of more than 3,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year. AHC established their partnership with the EPA in 2001.

“Purchasing green power helps our organization become more sustainable, while also sending a message that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice in reducing climate risk,” said James Lee, AHC’s senior vice president and chief financial officer.

According to the EPA, Adventist HealthCare’s green power purchase is equivalent to avoiding the CO2 emissions of more than 700 passenger vehicles per year, or the CO2 emissions from the electricity use of more than 500 average American homes annually.

“EPA is pleased to welcome Adventist HealthCare to the Green Power Partnership,” said Matt Clouse, Acting Chief of the Energy Supply and Industry Branch at EPA. “We applaud their commitment to using green power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”