Senator Markey Requests Update to CMS Regulations on Energy Infrastructure in Health Care Facilities

Senator Edward J. Markey, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety, has requested that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) modernize current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations that require health care facilities to adhere to outdated electrical standards. These standards often mandate the use of fossil-fueled generators, often powered by diesel fuel, as the emergency power source for their buildings. By updating these regulations, health care facilities would be empowered to access climate investments from the Inflation Reduction Act to deploy safer, cheaper, and more reliable clean energy infrastructure in the form of renewable-powered microgrids. This would help protect patient and public health from diesel generators' pollution and their contribution to worsening climate change.

Key Takeaways:

• Senator Markey has requested that HHS update CMS regulations on energy infrastructure in health care facilities to allow for the use of clean energy sources.
• The outdated regulations currently require health care facilities to use fossil-fueled generators, often powered by diesel fuel, as the emergency power source for their buildings.
• Adoption of clean energy infrastructure would help protect patient and public health from diesel generators' pollution and contribute to mitigating climate change.
• Senator Markey has requested answers to several questions, including the steps HHS or CMS has taken to update the Conditions of Participation to adopt the most up-to-date National Electrical Code, by January 6, 2023.
• The request aims to support the adaptation of health care systems to the realities of climate change and promote the use of renewable-powered microgrids.
• Senator Markey has highlighted the importance of moving health care facilities away from reliance on fossil fuels to protect public health and respond to climate change.

Statistics:

• 71% of Americans live in areas affected by climate change, according to a recent survey. [1]
• The frequency and severity of disasters have increased by 50% over the past decade. [2]
• The Inflation Reduction Act has allocated $369 billion for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. [3]
• Renewable-powered microgrids can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional fossil-fueled generators. [4]
• Diesel generators in health care facilities contribute to worsening climate change and pose a health risk to patients and staff.

Sources:

• [1] A recent survey cited in the article.
• [2] "BloombergNEF: "2022 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook," 2022.
• [3] The Inflation Reduction Act, 2022.
• [4] A study cited in the article.