EPA awards Aviano clinic second Energy Star

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine Windish
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 31st Medical Group was recently awarded its second Energy Star by the Environmental Protection Agency, making the Aviano Air Base clinic the "greenest" in the Air Force.

To qualify for the Energy Star, a building must earn 75 or more points on the EPA's 100-point performance scale, indicating that the facility performs better than at least 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. The EPA takes into account average local weather conditions, facility age, facility size and facility function when determining whether the building meets the agency's strict energy performance standards. An Energy Star certifies that the facility uses less energy, is less expensive to operate and causes fewer green house gas emissions than its peers.

"The push for this started back in fiscal 2008 when the 31st MDG administrator had a vision of us achieving the Energy Star recognition from the EPA," said Maj. James Robertson, 31st Medical Group Logistics Flight commander. "Through hard work and dedication on the part of facilities management and continued support from leadership, we have not only been able to achieve the initial recognition, but now have the distinction of being the first medical treatment facility to earn it for the second year in a row."

After earning a 65-point Energy Star rating in 2008, the 31st MDG worked harder to achieve the 75 or higher rating by closely monitored energy consumption and waste production.

"In September 2009, we were notified that our efforts and focus had paid off, and we gained our first Energy Star," said Major Robertson. "If increase in consumption was noted, we worked hard to understand the cause and, where possible, corrected it. Thanks to this diligent effort, at the end of March, we were notified that the EPA granted us our second Energy Star."

The hospital staff has worked to adopt an energy-saving mindset in their everyday work, according to 31st MDG leadership.

"This recognition highlights [the unit's] effort in saving taxpayer dollars, preserving our environment, and allowing us to more effectively use our limited funding," said Major.

Lt. Col. Thomas Williford, 31st Medical Support Squadron commander, agreed with Major Robertson about being energy conscious, and its importance in being economically responsible.

"This is extremely important in fiscally restrained times like now," said Colonel Williford. "Our energy saving efforts allow the 31st MDG to invest more resources into our No. 1 goal, which is caring for the 31st Fighter Wing heroes and their family members."