Cheryl Miller, energy efficiency advisor for ActOnEnergy, says through their partnership with Passavant the hospital has reduced its annual electric usage by an amount equal to the power used by 325 typical single family homes. She says Passavant has cut its natural gas use by an amount equal to the natural gas used by 230 typical residential customers in a year.

“We want to encourage other businesses, not only in Jacksonville, but in others areas to challenge them to do the same," says Miller.

Dave Bolen is Passavant vice president and CFO. He says the hospital has teamed with Trane and ActOnEnergy to do two large energy saving programs over the last two years.

He says in 2012, Passavant’s energy costs were 14.5 percent less than 2011 and so far in 2013, the hospital is nearly 16 percent below 2012’s costs.

“The amount we receive in energy costs just helps us to reduce our overall costs which means that translates into savings for the patient," says Bolen. "Our charges can remain lower. It benefits everyone."

Miller says that since September 2010, Passavant received more than $244,000 in incentives for electric projects. The hospital also received a $100,000 incentive this year for a major natural gas project.

All Ameren Illinois businesses and nonprofit electric and natural gas customers can learn more about energy efficiency by attending one of two special ActOnEnergy symposiums.

On May 21st, the first symposium will be at the Embassy Suites and Riverfront Conference Center in East Peoria. On May 22nd, the second symposium will be at the Collinsville Gateway Center in Collinsville.