VISN-6
The Challenge
Like all Federal facilities, Veterans Integrated Service Network Region 6 (VISN-6) was charged with meeting the energy reduction goals of President Clinton’s Executive Order 13123. Issued in July 1999, the order sets energy consumption reduction targets for federal agencies at 35% of 1985 consumption by 2010.
Our Solution
Ameresco developed an energy efficiency program for the eight VISN-6 Medical Centers, which encompass over 7.5 million square feet, 3,000 acute beds and nearly 1,000 nursing beds. All facilities operate 24 hours every day and have stringent requirements to ensure proper facility operations. We invested $28 million in building systems improvements under an Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) program administered by the Army Corps of Engineers at the Huntsville Engineering and Support Center. Upgrades spanned all major energy cost reduction opportunities including:
- Boiler plant upgrades
- Chiller plant upgrades
- HVAC upgrades
- Lighting upgrades
- Steam trap upgrades
- Peak shaving
- Motor replacements
- Laundry upgrades
The project is entirely funded from $68 million in energy and operational and maintenance (O&M) savings resulting from Ameresco’s investment. No taxpayer funds were expended. All work was coordinated with existing and future ongoing capital or O&M projects.
Testimonial
“Ameresco modernized our facilities and improved the care and comfort we provide to more than 180,000 veterans every year,” said Jerry Hussen, Acting Director of VISN-6. “By using Ameresco’s financing for energy and infrastructure work, we can direct our budget dollars to healthcare and vital services for veterans.”
