Washington, Dec 13, 2005 -

Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman and U.S. Representative Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) today announced that a federal Energy Saving Team has been sent to the VA Medical Center in Charleston, S.C., as part of the comprehensive national energy efficiency effort being undertaken by the Bush administration. Through this no-cost assessment, the DOE Energy Saving Team is working with the facility to identify opportunities to save energy and money.

“President Bush has called on all Americans to be more energy efficient. As the largest energy user in the nation, the federal government should lead in this effort,” Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman said. “DOE’s Energy Saving Teams will play a key role in assessing and providing energy saving strategies at large federal facilities across the nation.”

“This initiative is a response to the nation’s call for innovative solutions to rising energy costs,” Congressman Brown said. “I look forward to seeing the results of this survey and the proposals for energy savings at our local VA medical facility.”

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, S.C., is a primary, secondary, and tertiary referral medical center, providing acute medical, surgical and psychiatry inpatient care as well as primary care and specialized outpatient services. Currently, there are 87 acute care beds and 28 nursing home care unit beds. The primary service area extends from north of Myrtle Beach, S.C., down to the surrounding counties of Savannah, Ga.

DOE’s Energy Saving Teams that visit large federal facilities and the top 200 energy-intensive manufacturing facilities in the United States are part of the national “Easy Ways to Save Energy” campaign launched by Secretary Bodman on October 3, 2005, in Washington, D.C.

In the coming months, the Department of Energy expects to send 30 teams in the coming months to the largest federal facilities throughout the country. These teams will assess operational energy efficiency measures focusing on low-cost and no-cost measures, conduct training, provide summary assessments of long-term efficiency opportunities and work with on-site personnel to develop an implementation plan. Companies interested in a free energy assessment can visit www.eere.energy.gov/industry/saveenergynow for more details and to request brochures detailing “Fifteen Tips to Help Your Plant Save Energy.”

For tips on easy, inexpensive steps consumers can take to lower their energy bills this winter, please visit www.energysavers.gov.