State and Local Climate and Energy Program
Choctaw Healthy Energy Living Project
Durant, Oklahoma
Federal Funding: $189,817
Project Timeline: February 2011 – February 2013
Project Summary
Implementing Energy Efficiency Retrofits and Education in the Choctaw Hospital System
The Choctaw Healthy Energy Living Project (Project HELP) will promote energy efficiency improvements and education throughout the Choctaw Nation Indian Hospital System. The entire community depends heavily on the hospital for emergency, substance abuse, and diabetic care as well as a full range of medical services as the hospital is the sole source of in-patient care within a 25 mile radius. Five facilities within the system will undergo efficient lighting retrofits and will benefit from a comprehensive educational program for employees and patients to help them reduce their energy usage. Project coordinators will disseminate a White Paper detailing the process and success of Project HELP to other small, rural and tribal hospitals in order to promote the spread of best practices for energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
During the lighting retrofits, all existing light hospital fixtures will be replaced with more efficient fixtures, while maintaining appropriate lighting levels to ensure efficient and effective care. The retrofits will be coupled with an intensive employee and patient education program, including a brochure and six training sessions. Project HELP coordinators will oversee the project and identify any barriers or best practices that will be compiled into a White Paper that will serve as a guide for similar hospitals. Project HELP will also distribute a high-quality DVD with the White Paper that emphasizes the success of the project.
The five facilities that will receive retrofits are the Choctaw Nation Indian Hospital, the Recovery Center, the Chi Hullo Li long-term residential substance abuse treatment center, the Diabetes Wellness Center, and the outpatient Rubin White Health Clinic. These retrofits are projected to save almost 341,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity and reduce 213 metric tons CO2e of greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time promoting healthy living and sustainable energy habits.
Community Characteristics
| Population: | 80,000 |
|---|---|
| Area: | 11,229 square miles |
| Government Type: | Tribal |
| Community Type: | Rural |
| Median Household Income: | $34,008 |
Program Results/Estimated Results
| Expected GHG Reductions: | 213 metric tons CO2e |
|---|---|
| Actual GHG Reductions as of 12/2011: | 273.2 metric tons CO2e |
| Expected Electricity Reductions: | 341,000 kWh |
| Actual Electricity Reductions as of 12/2011: | 396,292 kWh |
Project Website
Media Coverage
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EPA Awards Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Over $180,000 in Climate Showcase Communities Grant,
04/14/2011
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