The DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) has partnered with La Clinica Del Pueblo to make improvements to the clinic’s 15th street site. La Clinica Del Pueblo primarily serves Latinx immigrants in the District offering primary medical care, mental health and other services. Through their partnership with the DCSEU, the clinic was able to upgrade lighting fixtures and install a new HVAC unit.
The previous unit was about 20-years-old and could be unreliable during heat waves in the summer. In the past, staff have had to close the clinic due to maintenance issues because it was not possible to deliver services to patients. The new updates will help the clinic save money from utility bills.
“Any time that we don’t have to spend funds on operations and administrative infrastructure, it means that we have more to support our clients, community, and staff,” says Catalina Sol, Executive Director at La Clinica Del Pueblo. “All of those savings are really critical, not only to being able to build a sustainable organization, but to make investments that are more directly related to our mission.”
The DCSEU seeks to work with hospitals and other healthcare facilities as they may spend twice as much as other business on energy-related expenses. With the new installments La Clinica can continue to focus on providing excellent care to patients in the District while worrying less about repairs and maintenance.