First EPA Energy Star-certified hospital

MUSKOGEE, OK — The first hospital in Oklahoma built to Green Guide for Health Care criteria to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards is now open, according to The Journal Record.


The Muskogee Community Hospital is a physician-owned hospital sitting on 22 acres and cost $55 million to construct, the story stated.


According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), meeting LEED standards requires compliance in: Sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environment quality.


The Muskogee Community Hospital is the first in the nation to incorporate ground-source geothermal heating and cooling, reducing cooling costs by 45 percent and heating costs by 90 percent, the story noted.


Mark Roberts, president of the Muskogee Community Hospital, said: "A lot of the stuff is not cheap. But if it’s better for the patient, we made the decision to go with it because it’s the right thing."


All of the green practices implemented helped the hospital receive the first EPA Energy Star certification for any hospital or health care facility in the nation, the story added.