North Shore Community Health has entered into a two-year renewable energy agreement with ENGIE Resources LLC, a subsidiary of ENGIE North America (ENGIE). North Shore Community Health Center (NSCH) will receive Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to match 100% of forecasted consumption for its three northeast Massachusetts locations.
"Embracing an environmentally friendly mindset benefits communities of all shapes and sizes. Our commitment to sustainability is one step on a journey towards creating healthier and vibrant communities," said Maggie Brennan, President and CEO.
NSCH is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) with three full-time sites and two school-based health centers in Salem, Peabody, and Gloucester, serving 14,000 patients annually. NSCH provides high-quality, culturally competent primary care, including medical, dental, behavioral health, and substance use disorder services. NSCH also offers chronic disease management, health education, language interpretation, and health insurance enrollment assistance to ensure accessible healthcare for all. NSCH is committed to serving everyone, regardless of ability to pay, and uses a sliding fee scale for its services based on family size and income.
Based on national Health Center Program data, FQHCs in the United States provide accessible and comprehensive primary care to more than 30 million patients, or 8.3% of the population.
NSCH has also undertaken other environmental-focused project initiatives including: energy-efficient LED light upgrades, implementing motion-sensor controlled lighting for exam rooms, fostering environmentally friendly dining practices, and retaining a hybrid work model to help lower emissions created by long commutes.
"We serve more than 200 hospitals across our footprint," said Ted Conway, business development manager at ENGIE Resources. "It's an honor to serve this sector and we admire the commitment of NSCH to provide vital community services and make a significant contribution to support renewable energy."
The Green-e® certified RECs purchased in the agreement will equal 100% of North Shore's demand, equivalent to the CO2 emissions from nearly 302,325 pounds of coal burned, or the greenhouse gas emissions avoided by 95.3 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled.* NSCH will also achieve budget certainty throughout the agreement term with a fixed price structure.
Green-e® RECs represent the environmental benefits of one MWh of renewable energy, and are certified by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. Certification ensures that RECs are properly accounted for and that no double counting takes place.
Serving as advisor on the agreement is Voyager Power, Massachusetts. Voyager provides solutions across the energy value chain and helps commercial and industrial customers to achieve sustainability targets and energy compliance.
