2012 Report to the Community - VISN 8

innovationGOInG GREEn:Reducing Our Energy FootprintProviding Veterans with safe, high quality and accessiblehealth care while focusing on innovations that reduce ourenergy footprint in a sound, fiscally responsible way is atop priority. Here are “green” highlights from two of ourVA healthcare systems—one in Florida and the other inthe Caribbean.Bay Pines VA Recognized With Green Globe AwardsIn 2012, the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System receivedthe Green Globe Awards for environmental and energyefficiency campus-wide. In total, 16 of the major buildingson the St. Petersburg, Fla. campus (to include the mainhospital) received Green Globe certification. The BayPines VAHCS is one of only 11 VA campuses acrossthe country recognized for “campus-wide sustainablecertification.” The Green Globe Awards are a project ofthe Green Building Initiative (GBI) for environmental andenergy efficiency.Going Green with Cost Saving,Energy Efficient ProjectsThe VA Caribbean Healthcare System has a large energyand resource footprint in the Caribbean with one majorhospital in San Juan and 11 smaller facilities in PuertoRico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2012, VA Caribbeaninvested $4.5 million in innovative energy efficient projectson its main campus including a Photovoltaic System-Renewable Energy in a Special Intensive Care Unit; a SiteSolar Renewable-Energy Multilevel Parking Garage, and aVertical Wind Turbine System in a state-of-the-art patienttower. The San Juan VAMC also has Green BuildingInitiative certification.Solar Carport: On the Bay Pines VA Medical Center’s St.Petersburg, Fla. campus, construction was completed in2012 on a 1.48 megawatt Solar Photovoltaic System. Thecarport-like design will reduce Bay Pines’ energy bill byabout $189,000 a year while providing 773 shaded parkingspots for Veterans and VA staff that reduce the temperaturesinside vehicles as much as 35 degrees Fahrenheit—awelcome relief in Florida’s heat, especially in the Summer.Healing Day in theEvergladesThe power of nature to help heal is welldocumented and in South Florida, natureis nearly synonymous with one of thelargest protected natural wonders inthe United States – The Everglades. InFebruary 2012, the Airboat Association ofFlorida hosted a “Day in the Everglades”celebration for Veterans and their familiesthat included games, food, music and ofcourse – airboat rides.14Annual Report 2012 » www.visn8.va.gov