On May 4, 2007, a massive tornado destroyed or severely damaged 95% of Greensburg, Kansas. Since then, city and community leaders have been committed to rebuilding the town as a model sustainable rural community. Experts from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are working with city leaders, business owners, and residents to identify ways to incorporate energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies into the new buildings. Ultimately,

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... e technologies could be replicated in other communities recovering from disaster. Kiowa County Memorial Hospital The original Kiowa County Hospital was destroyed in the tornado and rebuilt green. In fact, the hospital's design team took one of the most energy-intensive building types and designed a first-of-its kind energy-efficient hospital, while still meeting functional and safety requirements. The 50,000 square-foot building includes 15 acute-care beds, rural health and specialty clinics, an emergency department with two trauma rooms, physical/occupational therapy and radiology departments, a laboratory, and other support areas.