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Energy conservation requires shift in culture

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Kathleen Ferrero
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Air Force is committed to conserving energy, and this takes a long-term change in the way Airmen think.

"Saving energy shouldn't be a task that we struggle to find time to do while at work, but rather a lifelong attitude we apply to all we do," Col. Mark A. Ruse, chief of the AMC Civil Engineering Operations Division, stated in a commentary.

AMC is using creative ways to get every Airman thinking about energy savings. One example was creating a new Energy Incentive Award and making this year's $225,000 total purse available to groups other than just civil engineer applicants.

"CE personnel can only take energy conservation so far by using energy efficient heating, cooling, and lighting systems and designing facilities that don't waste energy," said Mr. Chan Keith, AMC resource efficiency manager.

Airmen who use base facilities can especially make an impact, Mr. Keith said. Turning off unused lighting; minimizing energy-intensive appliances such as excessive refrigerators; or keeping hot or cold air from slipping outside through doors and windows are good practices.

Additionally, AMC base officials are creating innovative policies. In McChord Air Force Base's commuting program, participants can receive $115 per month, which inspires personnel to reduce vehicle emissions and traffic congestion.

Other successes include solar projects at the medical clinic and library at McGuire AFB; and Dover AFB is currently testing a hydrogen tractor trailer truck.

Specific goals can also spur cultural change, such as the Air Force goal of 10 percent aviation fuel savings by Fiscal Year 2015.

So far, AMC personnel have worked toward that goal by eliminating standard ramp fuel practices, resulting in an annual avoidance of 4.2 million gallons of fuel.  AMC units have also reduced C-17 planned cruise speed from .76 to .74 mach, leading to an annual avoidance of 2.2 million gallons of fuel.

An Air Force culture that routinely practices energy conservation will set the stage for future success.

"Not only is energy conservation the right thing to do, it's necessary to save limited resources and be wise stewards of what we have," Colonel Ruse said.