WNY VA System eyes wind turbine for hospital roof

By Joyce Kryszak

Buffalo, NY – The Veterans Hospital could be taking energy conservation to new heights. The WNY VA Healthcare system is taking a look at the feasibility of putting a wind turbine on roof of the VA Hospital in Buffalo.

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You've seen them stretched along the countryside in the southern tier. And along the waterfront in Buffalo. But you probably haven't seen any windmills perched on top of a soaring thirteen story building. Jason Petti is associate director for the WNY VA. He said it's one of the more innovative green ideas they're considering.

The study will be done late this summer. He said if the payback on the investment makes sense - they'll go for it. The WNY VA was given five million dollars of federal stimulus money to use exclusively for energy projects. And engineering manager Tom Petrus said the idea isn't as obtrusive as it might sound. Petrus said rooftop turbines don't need giant soaring towers and killer long blades.

The the WNY VA has already been recognized for their creative energy solutions. The EPA granted the hospital its energy star award two years in a row.