We use 80,000,000,000 aluminum soda cans a year.
June 30, 2026
Weill Cornell Medicine has been undergoing a campus-wide lighting upgrade. This upgrade consists of a conversion to LED lighting and improved lighting controls. Although newly renovated spaces are fitted with LED lights by default, older spaces need to be retrofitted. The driver behind this upgrade is to improve lighting, reduce WCM’s overall carbon emissions, and maintain compliance with NYC’s Local Law 88 and Energy Conservation Code.
Retrofitting highly specialized spaces, such as laboratories or outpatient clinics, can be challenging, balancing regulatory standards, complex existing infrastructure, and operational requirements. Our electrical team is working diligently to continue the upgrade without significantly disrupting the work of our students, faculty, and staff or disturbing patients.
Recently, our electrical team completed the upgrade of the entire 1300 York Avenue complex. This was a great achievement that, in addition to regulatory compliance, will result in an estimated 631,000 kWh/year and approximately $126,000 in annual savings on our utility costs. There will also be fewer HVAC-related lighting loads and reduced maintenance as a result.
A shout-out to William Halliday, the WCM Manager of Electrical & Elevator Systems, and his incredible team for this effort and their continuous service to Weill Cornell Medicine.