Henry Ford Health System today announced a new partnership with DTE Energy to reduce the health care group’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Henry Ford will begin purchasing wind and solar energy through DTE’s voluntary renewable energy program, MIGreenPower, beginning in 2023. Initially, 10 percent (approximately 19,100 megawatt hours) of Henry Ford’s total electricity purchased from DTE will come from Michigan-made renewable energy, increasing incrementally to 100 percent by 2029.
“Sustainability is an integral part of building strong, healthy communities,” says Bob Riney, COO and president of health care operations at Henry Ford Health System. “By investing in clean, renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, we aim to address health disparities and the growing impacts of climate change regionwide, especially in our historically marginalized communities.”
Henry Ford’s clean energy commitment with DTE will begin as soon as the energy company’s infrastructure comes online, likely in late 2023. The organization states its initial purchase will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 13,536 metric tons, the equivalent of removing 2,944 passenger vehicles from the road each year.
Henry Ford has been working with DTE and other partners to implement other energy conservation measures, like lighting replacement and HVAC upgrades, that are yielding significant reductions in greenhouse gas emission. Henry Ford is also working with other utility providers to identify further energy savings opportunities, including renewable energy options.
“We are thrilled to welcome Henry Ford Health System into our MIGreenPower program, one of the largest voluntary renewable programs in the United States,” says Trevor Lauer, president of DTE’s electric company. “Like DTE, Henry Ford has served our community for more than 100 years and we thank them for taking this additional step toward creating a cleaner environment.
“As the state’s leading producer of renewable energy, we are committed to a clean energy future for Michigan, one that benefits all Michiganders. By investing in clean, renewable energy, we are able to help reduce the impacts of climate change in our community.”
MIGreenPower is a voluntary renewable energy program that enables DTE customers to attribute their energy use to the company’s wind and solar projects. Henry Ford joins a community of other businesses and more than 44,000 residential customers using MIGreenPower to reduce their carbon footprint.
“We are doing this because we are deeply committed to the health of our communities and dedicated to sustainable solutions that improve health and wellness,” says Chip Amoe, director of system sustainability at Henry Ford. “All of our sustainability initiatives are designed to have a direct impact on improving the health of the employees, patients and communities we serve.”
Founded in 1915 by Henry Ford himself, Henry Ford Health System is a non-profit, academic, and integrated health system comprising five acute-care hospitals, three behavioral health facilities, a health plan, and 250-plus care sites including medical centers, walk-in and urgent care clinics, pharmacies, eye care facilities and other health care operations.
The health system has more than 33,000 employees and is home to the 1,900-member Henry Ford Medical Group, one of the nation’s oldest physician groups.
