Earthrise Energy Announces 7-Year Commitment to Fund Radon Detection Program with Gibson Area Hospital
**Earthrise Energy Announces 7-Year Commitment to Fund Radon Detection Program
with Gibson Area Hospital**
GIBSON CITY, IL – Today, Earthrise Energy enters into a 7-year Community Benefit
Agreement with Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services (GAHHS) to support the
hospital’s efforts to develop and implement a radon awareness, screening and cancer
prevention program in Ford County. The Community Benefit Agreement will offer the
Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services nearly $200,000 over seven years to improve
public health by raising awareness about radon, distributing radon detection programs,
conducting cancer prevention screenings, and additional medical screenings as needed in
Ford County.
Radon, a naturally occurring gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.,
according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Earthrise Energy on this vital program,” said Rob
Schmitt, CEO of Gibson Area Hospital. “Radon exposure is an often-overlooked risk, and
with this new funding, we will be able to protect more families in our area. We’re grateful for
Earthrise Energy’s investment in the health and safety of our community.”
Earthrise Energy’s commitment to community health initiatives reflects its broader mission
of supporting the regions where it operates. In addition to Earthrise’s Community Benefits
Agreement, the company launched the RISE Grant program in 2019, which has made
significant contributions to programs in Earthrise’s hub regions that promote education,
environmental protection, and community resilience.
Earthrise Energy owns and operates five natural gas plants in Illinois, including the Gibson
City Energy Center in Gibson City, the Shelby County Energy Center in Neoga, and the Tilton
Energy power plant. The company is also proposing to build several solar projects in central
Illinois, including a Gibson City project that was recently approved.
“We recognize the significant health risks that radon poses, and we are proud to support
this new program with Gibson Area Hospital,” said Ellie Ginis, Project Developer at
Earthrise Energy. “This long-term investment underscores our commitment to ensuring the
safety and well-being of the people in Ford County. We are proud to support the GAHHS as
it works to support this community.”
The radon detection program is expected to serve hundreds of households across Ford
County in its first year, with the goal of expanding outreach and testing services in
subsequent years. In addition to testing, the initiative will include educational workshops
and resources for residents to better understand and address radon risks.
“Partnering with Earthrise Energy will allow us to make a real difference in the lives of our
residents,” Schmitt added. “We are hopeful that with their support, we can make radonrelated
lung cancer a thing of the past in our community.”
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For media inquiries, please reach out to:
Talya Tavor, Director of Community Engagement, Talya.tavor@earthriseenergy.com, 847-997-0564
Ellie Ginis, Project Developer, ellie.ginis@earthriseenergy.com, 248-727-7274
Josh Johnson, Executive Director of Communications GAHHS,
josh_johnson@gibsonhospital.org, 217-781-4769
