By: Claude Solnik

The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System today signed an agreement for what chief executive Michael Dowling called a “historic green partnership” with the Environmental Protection Agency, pledging to work on a wide range of ecological initiatives.

Dowling at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset signed a memorandum, pledging to work with the agency for five years to conserve energy and water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and embrace clean and renewable energy sources.

Dowling said environmental measures complement the system’s mission.

“And it makes enormous economic sense. To the extent that we can do things efficiently and save money, it helps us all.”

North Shore-LIJ already is taking steps to go green, seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for 25 projects.

The system built a $30 million energy plant, including a $6 million combined heat and power or co-generation facility, and launched a $40 million energy conservation program.

The health system had already crafted a policy statement saying it is committed to “an environmental program of sustainable development and operating practices that contribute to a safer and healthier environment for our patients, employees and our community.”

The system described its agreement to work with the EPA as an additional step in its efforts to reduce energy use and be more environmental.

“This is not a beginning. It certainly is not an end,” said Maurice LaBonne, senior vice president of facilities services. “It’s a new start and additional commitment to being a leader in sustainable activities.”

The system agreed to join the agency’s Energy Star program initiative seeking to reduce energy consumption by at least 10 percent, work with the agency to increase recycling and take other steps.

The pact is part of a trend as the EPA, in addition to its role as environmental regulator, seeks to become a partner with organizations.

North Shore-LIJ already won recognition from the EPA for its green initiatives. The system’s Glen Cove Hospital received an Energy Star award from the agency in 2009, one of only eight hospitals nationwide to do so.

Other hospitals are signing on to work with the EPA as well, although North Shore-LIJ is the first system in this region. Stony Brook University Medical Center, which is owned by the state, seven months ago signed a memorandum, pledging to work with the agency.

“Most hospitals are moving in the direction of being more sustainable, reducing energy demand and water usage and increasing recycling and reuse,” said Andrew J. Bellina, senior policy advisor for the EPA. “Some of this is no cost with immediate savings such as recycling. Food waste composting is no cost. You send it off site to be composted instead of paying to have it sent off site.”

He said the EPA is in talks with Hackensack University Medical Center and New York University Langone Medical Center over signing an agreement.

In addition to working with hospitals, the EPA has signed similar agreements with other large organizations in the area, including the New York Mets regarding Citifield and the New York Giants and the New York Jets regarding the new Meadowlands stadium.

Judith Enck, the EPA’s regional administrator, said the impact of the partnership wouldn’t only be measured in megawatts of energy saved or tons of materials recycled, but by how many hospitals follow the system’s lead.

“My sense is a lot will,” she said. “There’s a lot of interest in the health care community. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day.”