The Government of Nova Scotia has made a commitment to invest $9.7 million in converting seven regional hospitals to natural gas, a move it is projecting will save the facilities millions of dollars. Once completed, the conversions are expected to improve air quality and reduce heating costs.

“By burning natural gas, our hospitals will be using a cleaner source of energy that is better for the environment and creates savings that can be put directly into patient care, which is where Nova Scotians want to see their money invested,” Leo Glavine, minister of health and wellness, said in a news release.

Four Nova Scotia hospitals are already using natural gas, including the Cumberland Health Centre, Dartmouth General, Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General Hospital. The yet-to-be-converted hospitals include Yarmouth General, Valley Regional, South Shore Regional, Colchester Regional, Aberdeen Regional, St. Martha’s Regional and Cape Breton Regional.

Once fully converted, the hospitals will be able to switch between natural gas and furnace oil.