1/15/2025 9:30:00 AM
Have you made New Year’s resolutions? To continue its commitment to sustainable practices, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) sustainability team has made three resolutions for 2025, each representing an area where by investing today, the agency will be better prepared for tomorrow.
The MDVA sustainability team works to meet Executive Order-mandated sustainability goals in six focus areas: energy, water, greenhouse gas emissions, fleet, procurement and solid waste.
MDVA has dedicated sustainability efforts that run throughout the year – like switching to more efficient LED light bulbs to improve the quality of lighting and reduce energy use – supported by a strong internal culture of sustainability, where staff suggestions for bigger sustainability impact are always welcome.
MDVA plans to continue exploring onsite solar generation, the possibility of expanding utility renewable energy programs and community solar gardens. Renewable energy is an essential way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and gain energy independence.
Efforts already underway that will positively contribute to this goal of increased renewable energy include a solar array at the /mdva/memorials/stateveteranscemeteries/minnesota-state-veterans-cemetery-redwood-falls.jspRedwood Falls Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. The 47 kW DC solar array is in an area that’s being managed as restored prairie and was designed to cover about half of the location’s total energy needs, producing about 62,359 kWh. The onsite solar energy generated at Redwood Falls already saves MDVA more than $6,500 annually in electricity costs.
Additional in-progress renewable-energy initiatives include:
Greenhouse gas emissions can also be reduced by using less fossil fuel. MDVA operates one fully electric vehicle, and19 hybrid electric vehicles. To support this growing fleet and prepare for a future with more electric vehicles, there are 51 charging ports across MDVA locations and 24 additional planned for installation in 2025.
MDVA plans to work with a Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) intern this summer to focus on waste reduction and diversion at the /mdva/homes/minneapolis/index.jspMinneapolis Veterans Home. The goal is to eventually reach a 75% waste diversion rate.
Between 2017 and 2023, the diversion rate for MDVA locations increased from 5% to 25%, so things are heading in the right direction, but there’s more work to be done. Current efforts include organic recycling / composting programs at Minnesota Veterans Homes in /mdva/homes/fergus-falls/index.jspFergus Falls, Hastings and Minneapolis. Luverne Veterans Home also participates in a food-to-animals program, where food waste is used to feed animals on a local farm.
Waste reduction is also a top priority for MDVA because it conserves fiscal and environmental resources. Waste generation significantly decreased between 2017 and 2023.
The development of a new physical campus in Hastings is underway and will support new models of care with technology, innovation and a living setting that will allow for more Resident independence.
Like the three Minnesota Veterans Homes that opened in 2024, the Hastings Veterans Home plans to meet B3 Guidelines, which set sustainability goals for energy, water and waste, as well as follow the Sustainable Building 2030 Energy Standard, which is an energy conservation program designed to significantly reduce the energy and carbon in Minnesota buildings.
Check out MDVA’s progress toward sustainability goals anytime at sustainability.mn.gov.
