Hospital honored for biofuel initiative

Memorial Hospital in North Conway has been named the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainable Business of the Year, in recognition of its switch to a new form of renewable biofuel.

Memorial uses an advanced cellulosic biofuel known as RFO, which is produced by Ensyn Fuels Inc. The fuel is produced from forest residues and is used by the hospital for heating purposes, replacing petroleum-based fuel. Memorial was the first hospital to convert to its fuel, the company said.

Memorial says it has reduced its greenhouse gases from heating fuels by 85 percent and total emissions by approximately 75 percent, while at the same time reducing operating costs.

In its first heating season, the fuel saved the organization over $150,000 over the use of petroleum-based fuel, according to the hospital.

The chamber also singled out two other Memorial initiatives. One was completion of the first phase of converting all lighting to LED, which has reduced energy use by 62,000 kilowatt-hours and produced a savings of $8,000. Also cited were the hospital’s recycling programs, which have continued with placement of bins throughout the facility collecting paper, bottles and cardboard.