State of Iowa awards Winneshiek Medical Center over $200,000 to help save energy

The State Energy Program has awarded Winneshiek Medical Center $209,912 to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The money comes from federal stimulus dollars designated to help pay for energy saving projects in Iowa. Former Winneshiek Medical Center Chief Administrative Officer Allan Atkinson, who now works as a paid consultant for the hospital, submitted an application for the grant to the State Energy Program August of 2009.

A recent Alliant Energy Feasibility Study conducted by Michaels Engineering of La Crosse revealed Winneshiek Medical Center could save $116,000 per year with a $600,000 investment in specific energy-conserving measures. That $600,000 expense will be paid through the state grant, a loan from Alliant Energy and from the hospital's own funds.

Winneshiek Medical Center Chief Operating Officer Dave Jordahl says, "Like many rural hospitals in the state, Winneshiek Medical Center has aging utility infrastructure, which directly affects our energy consumption and our ability to be energy efficient. Although there is an initial cost, we are confident the energy savings will more than cover project costs over time, and the SEP award will significantly improve WMC's ability to implement these needed changes."

Winneshiek Medical Center offificials say they will begin implementing recommendations from the energy feasibility study this spring.