Energy awareness is everyone’s business

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. STEPHEN DELGADO
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  October was Energy Awareness Month for the Air Force and although it has faded into the sunset, energy awareness is a year-around effort. 

This year's theme was "Secure Today's Energy: Fuel Tomorrow's Mission," according to Kevin Billings, acting Air Force assistant secretary of installations, environment and logistics. 

"The Air Force is the largest consumer of energy in the federal government," he said. "We are focused on our responsibility to reduce consumption to support Defense Department and presidential directives for greater energy independence, which in turn supports national security. While we've made great strides in our energy strategy in the past few years, we intend for fiscal year 2009 to be a banner year toward obtaining our vision -- make energy a consideration in all we do." 

Energy Awareness Month was born in September 1991 when President George H. W. Bush proclaimed October as Energy Awareness Month. Since then, the Energy Department has been conducting energy awareness campaigns that promote the wise and efficient use of energy. 

The Air Force Communication Plan regarding energy assembled by Mr. Billing's office provides points of contact, themes and messages that major commands, direct reporting units and installations would find helpful in preparing an energy awareness plan. 

The plan outlines energy strategy and provides numerous statistics, themes and messages. 

The Air Force energy strategy emphasizes that energy is an economic and national security priority and vital to the Air Force's mission. In support of the Air Force mission and priorities of winning the war on terrorism, developing and caring for Airmen and modernizing the fleet, the Air Education Training Command has developed the following energy strategy, which Luke Air Force Base will adopt, according to A. J. Muhs, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron Water Program manager and environmental engineer. 

Reduce demand: The Air Force is committed to increasing energy efficiency and awareness of the need to reduce our energy consumption. 

Increase supply: The Air Force is committed to researching, testing and certifying new technologies, as well as renewable and sustainable resources to create new domestic sources of supply. 

Change culture: We are creating a culture where all Airmen make energy a consideration in everything they do. This strategy balances demand-side energy efficiency measures with a long-term commitment to supply-side alternative energy sources. 

There are numerous actions being taken at Luke to use energy more efficiently, according to Mr. Muhs. 

"We are doing a lot of things such as upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems with more energy efficient models, replacing light switches with motion sensors in offices to automatically turn off the lights, installing thermostat motion sensors in the dorms to better control heating and cooling and replacing inefficient light bulbs and ballasts." 

Gen. Stephen Lorenz, AETC commander, recently emphasized how important energy awareness is. 

"It is imperative that energy conservation be an integral part of our command's operations," he said. "One area that has excellent potential for improving conservation is to improve the energy awareness of all of our people." 

There are many things people at Luke can do to conserve energy that are easy to do, according to Mr. Muhs. 

"We urge people to turn off lights and electronic devices when they aren't using them," he said. "Use electricity during off-peak hours by using energy efficient light bulbs and during the summer raise the thermostat temperature. In the winter lower it. Keep doors to the outside closed as much as possible. It is important to water plants and lawns in the early morning or late evening to save water. These suggestions not only save energy, but they save money, too." 

What's more, the Air Force is presently implementing programs that are using alternative energy sources, according to Mr. Billings. 

"The Air Force is one of the largest purchasers of renewable power in the United States and is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as the largest purchaser of green power in the federal government," he said. "Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and Fairchild AFB, Wash., procured 100 percent of their electrical power from renewable sources, with Minot AFB, N.D., a close third at 95 percent. All together 37 bases buy green power." 

For more information on energy awareness, go to the SAF/IEE Energy Web site, http://www.safie.hq.af.mil/esoh/index.asp and the Department of Energy's Energy Awareness Month Web site, http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/services/energy_aware.html. 

For more information, call Mr. Muhs at (623) 856-8490.