Jan 5 2010
An independent group recently recognized the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office in Boise, Idaho for reducing its impact on the environment. A “gold” rating award was issued for the construction design of the 25,000 square-foot facility by the US Green Building Council. Eric K, Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, remarked that the department is involved in taking steps to reduce its environmental impact.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design has cited three VA facilities for their programs. A LEED “silver” rating was received by the Reno Regional Office in Nevada. A LEED-certified rating was received by the Oakland Mental Health Clinic in California and the Fort Harrison Regional Office in Montana.
Organizations accredited by the American National Standards Institute had developed two “green” building rating systems that include Green Globes and LEED. Each building according to the LEED rating criteria can receive any one of the four ratings that include gold, platinum, silver and certified ratings. The Boise Regional Office was able to get a gold rating by scoring 60-79 points from a total of 100.
The Green Globes rating system has certified 12 medical centers of VA with a sustainable status. The term “sustainability” refers to the developments that help in fulfilling the existing requirements without compromising the environment of the future generations. Monetary benefits to Veterans in Idaho are administered by the Boise Regional Office.
Source: http://www.va.gov/