Go 'green' at work

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt Abigail Wise
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  October is Energy Awareness Month and Dover Air Force Base has a goal of reducing energy use by 15 percent this fiscal year. 

In accordance with Executive Order 13423 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, all federal facilities must reduce their energy consumption by 3 percent each year, from the baseline year of 2003. 

The Air Mobility Command Fiscal Year 2010 Energy Awareness Campaign Plan states that the Air Force is committed to reducing aviation, ground, and installation energy demands. 

According to April Stewart, 436th Civil Engineering Squadron base energy manager, the 2009 fiscal year required a 12 percent reduction. Dover ended the fiscal year with a little over 15 percent energy reduction. 

She believes that usage can be cut still. 

"The high utility costs are a result of energy that is wasted by lights, equipment and heating or air conditioning systems that are left on for long periods while not in use," she said. 

The Air Force vision, according to the Energy Awareness Campaign Plan, is to create a culture where energy is a consideration in all we do, ranging from acquisitions to operations. 

Ms. Stewart said there are many simple ways to save on energy, such as use the energy-saver power management settings on your computer and monitor so they go into power save mode when not in use or use a power strip as a central 'turn-off' point when you are trying to completely disconnect the power supply. 

Adapters plugged into outlets use energy even if they are not charging, so once your electronic equipment is charged, unplug it. 

"25-30 percent of energy in commercial buildings is used for lighting," said Ms. Stewart. "Be sure to turn out the lights when they are not in use." 

"Another easy way to save energy is to keep air vents clear. It takes as much as 25 percent more energy to pump air into the workspace if the vents are blocked," she said. 

"Make a buddy system and hold others accountable as well as yourself, and together we can accomplish this goal." 

The Air Force continues to be a leader in the Department of Defense energy conservation.