Scott Medical Clinic dubbed 'Energy Star' by EPA

by Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

10/17/2012 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The 375th Medical Group is leading the way in this year's Air Force energy conservation efforts by reducing energy use in the clinic at Scott. The Scott Clinic recently earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star certification signifying that the building is in the top 25 percent for energy efficiency compared to similar nationwide facilities.

Any building that scores a 75 or higher on EPA's 1 to 100 scale may be eligible for Energy Star certification. The EPA's energy performance scale helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy. This project started with the Air Force Medical Support Agency installing billable meters in all medical clinics Air Force wide. Benchmarks were established and then efforts began to start saving energy with the ability to watch and see improvements.

"The 375th Medical Group is pleased to accept the certification in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts," said Thomas Stoddard, 375th MDG facility management flight commander. "Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs by 37.5 percent in the past two years."

The 375th Medical Group improved its energy performance this year by managing energy strategically across the entire organization and by making cost-effective improvements to Buildings 1529 and 1530. There is still equipment in there from 1956 when the Scott hospital originally opened.

"The 375th Medical Group replaced outdated heating and air conditioning systems, installed new lighting, reduced and implemented strict guidelines on personal appliances and used the new digital system to control temperatures, shutdown equipment and lighting when the clinic is closed," said Stoddard.

The energy star was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Greenhouse gas emissions are produced when fossil fuels are burned to create electricity. The Earth's atmosphere prevents the heat created from escaping into space contributing to global warming.

According to EPA calculator, the amount of greenhouse gas the 375th Medical Group has prevented is equal to electricity use of 742 households for a year. Commercial buildings that earn this certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

"This was not just facility managements doing but most of the staff stepped up to help by just doing the simplest think like turning off the lights when leaving and electronics off at the end of the day. They all played a key role in this achievement," said Stoddard. "I am proud to say we are the only facility on base to earn this recognition."

For more information contact Thomas Stoddard at 256-7313.