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                      News Release From

               Assemblywoman Marilyn C. Brewer

      Member of the Assembly, California Legislature


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 1995


   STATE GRANT PROVIDES HOAG MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PRESBYTERIAN
            WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS


IRVINE, CA -- Assemblywoman Marilyn Brewer (R-Irvine) 
announced that the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in 
Newport Beach will purchase a state-of-the-art energy 
management system, thanks to the California Energy 
Commission's recommendation of a  $165,500 matching grant 
from a federal energy conservation program.

The federal grant, which need not be repaid, should enable 
the 421-bed hospital to reduce its utility bills by more 
than $103,000 per year.

"Nonprofit hospitals like Hoag Memorial Hospital 
Presbyterian are important to our community," said 
Assemblywoman Brewer.  "Lower costs and sound energy 
management insure that such facilities can continue to 
offer affordable medical treatment in today's increasingly 
competitive economy."

Mark Sherod, Project Manager at Hoag Memorial Hospital 
Presbyterian, said the energy management system operates at 
the medical center in much the same way as a brain works in 
the human body.  "The system controls literally thousands 
of devices, thermostats and controls, allowing them all to 
work in harmony with each other.  It will allow us to 
optimize our energy efficiency throughout our entire 
750,000 square-foot facility."

Total cost of the high-tech addition to the hospital's 
heating and air conditioning system will be $338,100.  
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian will receive this 
year's maximum grant from the Energy Commission.  From the 
projected energy savings alone, the medical facility should 
recover its $172,600 in matching funds in less than two 
years.  

"Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian's management should be 
acknowledged for seeking out ways to cut costs without 
cutting services," said Assemblywoman Brewer.  "Investing 
in energy efficient equipment to cut utility bills is a 
sound business decision."

Last year the facility also did a complete modernization of 
its lighting system, financed in part by a similar federal 
matching grant..  "This hospital is very enthusiastic about 
saving energy," said Sherod.  "With these improvements 
we're cutting overhead, even as we improve comfort, and the 
new energy management system will serve as the backbone of 
our future energy plans."  

The grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy 
through its Institutional Conservation Program.  The 
California Energy Commission administers the funds to 
schools and hospitals willing to invest matching funds for 
energy efficiency. 


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For additional information, contact:

Mark Sherod, 
Project Manager, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
(714) 646-8901

Claudia Chandler, 
Assistant Executive Director, California Energy Commission 
(916) 654-4989




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File Name: 95_03_10_Assemblywoman_Brewer_Release