‘I am Air Force Energy’ campaign kicks off

October is Energy Action Month, and it provides an opportunity to promote energy and water conservation awareness as part of a national campaign led by the Department of Energy. This year’s theme, “I am Air Force Energy,” puts the Airman at the center of the campaign. The goal is to inspire the total force to make a commitment to a continual change in organizational and personal energy use and help Airmen realize they can make a difference in overall Air Force energy efforts.

Beginning in October, the Air Force will highlight energy success stories from around the Air Force enterprise in videos, fact sheets and articles distributed via the Air Force website, Facebook and YouTube. Your KMC Asset Optimization Team is working within the KMC to bring the message to the local area, providing tips, encouraging you to look for opportunities in your home and workplace, and highlighting your successes.  

“Every Airman is charged to ‘make energy a consideration in all we do,’ and through active awareness and training programs we enforce that charge,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers, the Air Force civil engineer.

“We must take the lead in energy conservation, renewable energy utilization and energy security as the Air Force seeks to save energy, reduce costs and keep our country insulated from the volatility energy engenders.”

All the data is not in yet, but the Air Force estimates it spent more than $10 billion on energy in fiscal year 2012, almost 10 percent of its total budget. Our local share of that budget in electric and heating energy has historically been in excess of $4 million per month. Any savings we can realize could be better spent on our Airmen, our readiness and our mission.

Achieving each of these goals set by the Air Force — improving resiliency, reducing demand, assuring supply and fostering an energy aware culture — involves the hard work and innovation of Airmen. In the last year, we have seen some impressive success stories. From energy recovery efforts at Misawa Air Base, Japan, following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami efforts to reduce facility energy demand through projects ensuring the sustainability of our installations, a number of Airmen have gone above and beyond to have a real impact. Posturing to meet half of its domestic fuel requirements with alternative fuel blends by 2016, the Air Force has certified all aircraft on a 50/50 blend of JP-8 and synthetic fuel and 80 percent of its aircraft on a 50/50 blend of JP-8 and biofuel.

The Air Force is implementing energy awareness training and education for Airmen, civilians and contractors during basic training, officer training, technical school and more. There is also an online outreach module available to all Air Force personnel with a Common Access Card on the Advanced Distance Learning System. It provides energy tips specific to various job functions.

The KMC AF Asset Optimization Team has noticed an overall decrease in energy and water consumption within the KMC, but there is always room to improve. While the team continues to strive to identify viable savings projects, we all have a part to play in accomplishing our reduction goals. Simple changes, when executed across the KMC, can have far reaching impacts. Some ideas include consolidating appliances within your facility, remembering to log out and turn off your computer screen at the end of the day, adjusting radiators to a reasonable setting, and using daylight when possible. Don’t turn a blind eye to problems – know the name of your facility manager and report incorrect temperature settings, leaky faucets, blocked air vents, cracked door frames or windows, outdoor lights on during the daytime, and other problems to your facility manager or to Civil Engineer Customer Service. 

These are easy steps that can yield positive environmental and financial results for our community and the Air Force. Keep an eye out throughout October for more energy conservation tips and events.

For questions, comments or suggestions, call your KMC Asset Optimization Team at 480-7712.

(Courtesy of 86th Civil Engineer Squadron)