Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Ninety-Eighth Regular Session
The Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date.
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State of Wisconsin
Department Health Services
July 11, 2008
The Honorable, The Legislature:
The Department of Health Services (DHS) is committed to reducing energy use at all of its facilities per the Energy Cost Reduction Plan guidelines in s.
16.953, Wisconsin Statutes. In a continuing effort to do so, the Department has included high efficiency equipment and energy reducing building systems into its ongoing capital projects. High efficiency equipment was designed into the new 200-bed facility currently under construction at Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center. The program statement for the 45-bed Female Treatment Facility at the Wisconsin Resource Center requires the architect/designer to "explore methods, materials and configurations" to conform to State energy concerns and comply with Act 141 and Executive Order 145.
The Department has initiated projects that will ultimately reduce energy consumption at its facilities, including the replacement of inefficient heating and ventilating equipment at the Southern Wisconsin Center, installation of new instantaneous water heaters in the Heating Plant at Mendota Mental Health Institute, and the installation of high efficiency laundry equipment at Central Wisconsin Center. DHS energy reduction efforts continue with the current evaluation of the use of LED street and sidewalk lighting at several of its facilities, the use of an alternate fueled boiler and solar thermal hot water in its laundry and food service areas.
A number of issues, however, complicate the Department's ability to implement energy efforts as rapidly and to the extent that might be desired or might be possible in other state facilities. All of the Department's campuses have components that operate 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. These facilities care for persons who have medical and emotional issues, and have difficulty tolerating disruptions in their daily routine. In addition, many components on our campuses have significant security and/or life safety considerations that must be met. Five of the facilities also must meet regulatory requirements of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and the Joint Commission. These factors must be carefully considered in planning for the implementation of energy conservation measures.
The attached Energy Cost Reduction Plan worksheets reflect the Department's efforts over the last two years and outline some of its potential efforts in the next two years. The Department has and will continue to make energy efficiency a major part of all its capital improvement projects. In addition, the operating and maintenance staffs at our facilities will continue to look for and identify non-capital improvements resulting in further reduction of our energy usage.
Sincerely,
Karen E. Timberlake
Secretary
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Relating to certification of outpatient mental health clinics, and affecting small businesses.
Submitted by Department of Health and Family Services.
Report received from Agency, July 30, 2008.
Referred to committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation, July 30, 2008
.
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The committee on Agriculture and Higher Education reports and recommends:
Relating to the "buy local" grant program created under s.93.48, Stats.
No action taken.
Kathleen Vinehout
Chairperson
