Klickitat Valley Health and Ameresco Break Ground on Clean Energy Projects

Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy infrastructure solutions provider and Klickitat Valley Health (KVH) broke ground Thursday on two new clean energy projects designed to reduce utility costs, improve efficiency and strengthen sustainability at the community hospital.

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Pictured with ceremonial shovels are John Anderson, Governor Ferguson’s Southwest Regional Representative; Brenda Rogers, KVH Board Member; Larry Hoctor, KVH Board President; Jason Carver, Ameresco; Jonathan Lewis, KVH Director of Support Services; and Jonathan Hatfield, KVH Chief Executive Officer. (Photo by KVH.)

Ameresco will lead the design and construction of two key initiatives; a 45-ton ground source heat pump system and 375 kilowatts of solar carports. The ground source heat pump project will rely on 20 bore holes drilled 400 feet deep, using the earth’s stable temperature to help heat and cool hospital buildings. Construction will begin in December on the ground source heat pump system and is expected to be completed by summer 2026. KVH anticipates the system will save about $60,000 a year in energy costs.

“Breaking ground on these projects is about more than clean energy—it’s about responsible stewardship of community dollars and greater reliability for patient care.” said Jonathan Hatfield, Chief Executive Officer, Klickitat Valley Health. “By pairing geothermal with solar, we’ll lower utility costs every year, harden our campus against energy disruptions, and reinvest the savings where it matters most: our patients, providers, and staff. We’re grateful for the state’s partnership and our community’s support as KVH leads the way in practical, sustainable solutions for rural healthcare.”

The solar carport project will add covered parking north of the hospital campus while generating clean power. Construction for the solar carport project is expected to begin in spring 2026 and wrap up by the end of the year delivering an estimated $30,000 in annual energy savings.

“Projects like these make KVH more resilient and lower our operating costs so we can continue focusing resources on patient care,” said Jonathan Lewis, Director of Support Services at KVH. “We’re grateful for the community support and the state funding that made this possible.”

“For this initiative, Ameresco is providing comprehensive engineering services, project management, and long-term performance monitoring,” said Lou Maltezos, President of Ameresco’s Central & Western U.S. and Canada Regions. “This project exemplifies how renewable energy technologies can enhance institutional resilience, reduce emissions, and deliver sustained economic and environmental value for critical community organizations such as KVH.”