Energy -- national security priority for Air Force mission

  • Published
  • By Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Energy is a vital commodity to the United States and an economic and national security priority for the Air Force mission. In view of this, the secretary of the Air Force has developed a new energy awareness theme for fiscal 2010 -- "Energy solutions... fueling the mission." 

The theme highlights the importance of energy to the overall mission to fly, fight and win, and support the energy strategy to reduce demand, increase supply and change the culture. 

The Air Force is the largest consumer of energy in the federal government. It operates and maintains more than 680 million square feet of facilities at 166 installations around the world. In fiscal year 2007, the government spent more than $1.06 billion for utilities. 

Energy conservation mandates and goals have been issued since the oil crisis of the 1970s, and so far, the Air Force has exceeded every facility energy reduction goal as required by either statute or executive order. 

Through due diligence and conservation efforts, the Air Force met the 2005 energy reduction mandate by reducing facility energy use 30 percent in the 20-year span from the 1985 baseline year. However, new mandates and new reduction goals are going to take an even greater effort. 

The new Air Force energy program balances energy efficiencies and long-term commitment to alternative energy sources with the following energy reduction strategy: 

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

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

Change the culture: The Air Force is creating a culture where all Airmen make energy a consideration in everything they do. 

Increasing energy efficiency begins with each individual's actions. Everyone can make a difference by identifying innovative ways to conserve energy and then following up by completing those actions. 

Energy conservation saves more than just energy - it saves Air Force dollars which can be spent completing the mission. Working together to improve the energy efficiencies of facilities, equipment, vehicles and aircraft improves combat capabilities. 

What can you do? Here are a few ideas to start: 

· Ensure that thermostats in your office area are set in accordance with the base-wide temperature standard.
· Get into the habit of turning off lights when you leave a room.
· Turn off office equipment, including monitors, TVs, printers, copy machines, fax machines, at night and on weekends. Make sure to leave the computer turned on for security software updates.
· Report energy wastes, including water leaks, building deficiencies and energy abuses. To make a service call for items like a leaky faucet, light bulb replacement, air conditioning malfunctions and others, contact your building manager.
· Take the stairs whenever possible.
· Use task lighting or daylighting when practical.
· Print and copy only what you need.
· Make sure air conditioning and heating supply and return vents are not obstructed.
· Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
· Close or adjust window blinds to block direct sunlight to reduce cooling needs during warm months.
· In the winter months, open blinds on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your workspace. In the evening, close the blinds to reduce heat loss over night.
· Don't leave doors or windows open unnecessarily.