Loma Linda VA to Get Solar Power

Loma Linda VA Hospital should be harnessing the power of the sun through solar cells by next summer thanks to an investment by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Loma Linda was one of five hospitals nationwide to be chosen as part of the program, which will invest $56.7 million in contracts to install solar photovoltaic systems at the centers, according to a statement released Wednesday.

"With these investments in clean energy and other renewable energy
projects, we are marching forward with the president's initiative to expand innovation in the federal government and create new jobs," said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki in the release.

"The benefits of using solar power are profound, from reducing
greenhouse gas emissions to improving the quality of the air we breathe,'' he said. "This initiative is good for veterans and good for our environment."

The VA hospitals in West Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and two in Texas were chosen as part of the program.

The VA's goal is to be generating 15 percent of its energy through renewable resources by 2013. They said these projects should help them reach that goal.

City News Service contributed to this report.