More than $1.5 million in state grant funds will be used to help Robert Packer Hospital reduce its energy costs and provide an emergency power source, Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford / Sullivan / Susquehanna) said recently.
Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre will receive $1.589 million from the Alternative Clean Energy Program through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to purchase and install a combined heat and power system at its facility.
“This state grant funding program is designed to help local facilities that use large amounts of electricity and transfer that into a more efficient power system. This is a win-win situation in that the hospital saves money to reinvest the capital back into health care needs for local patients, and the new system takes advantage of homegrown energy right here in Bradford County,” Pickett said. “I commend Robert Packer officials and Guthrie Health Care for taking notice of this grant program and submitting a successful application.”
Specifically, the heating system will benefit the facility’s electrical and hot water needs and will be fueled by natural gas, thereby offsetting more than 50 percent of its electric use. In the event of an electric outage, the system will allow the hospital to function on emergency power for up to two weeks.
The hospital, which is the only regional trauma center in the 11-county area, will also provide more than $6 million in matching funds for the project.
