So I was reading on the US Navy website that the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda and the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) are really going green. They are truly real Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as they reached gold certification of two newly constructed inpatient and outpatient facilities on their campuses.
“Green building is important,” said Gutberlet. “It provides a more sustainable building, which saves money on construction and in future operating costs, and it allows the federal government to take a leadership role for using fewer, renewable resources. This [LEED certification] provides an outstanding level of environmental stewardship, energy efficiency and sustainability that directly supports the goals of the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense (DoD).”
As we all know, the part I love the most about going green in the ROI. According to the US Navy:
“This corresponds to an energy savings of more than $580,000 per year,” he said. He said this savings could result in a savings of more than $29 million in energy costs alone during a 50-year time period.
Aboard NSAB, the new facilities earned a significant amount of points for site selection and energy efficiency. The buildings, adjacent to Building 1, the “Tower,” offer a view of open space and contribute to the overall healing environment for patients. Cutting down the cost of energy, the buildings are equipped with a heat recovery system that significantly decreases the cost of operating the facilities, resulting in a 32 percent reduction in energy costs, Gutberlet said.
My favorite quote though was this!!
“As we accept the certification for LEED Gold, we recognize our responsibility to the nation, to the taxpayer and to the American people to be good stewards of the resources that have been provided us,” said Col. Charles Callahan, NNMC chief of staff. “More importantly, we care for America’s treasures when we take care of the warriors and their families, and we accept this plaque and these facilities on behalf of the men and women who will care for those warriors here in the next year and for the next century as we become Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda.”
For the entire story: Source: US Navy By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexandra Snyder, National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs
Story Number: NNS110513-17 Release Date: 5/13/2011 2:09:00 PMU
