Vance vying for position in energy race

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  With only four months left in the Air Education and Training Command Energy Management Incentive Award program, Vance has moved into third place for reduction in energy output.

As compared to its three-year baseline average from 2005 through 2007, Vance showed a 10.2% reduction in energy output from July to December 2008. Only Altus AFB, with a 10.6% reduction, and Luke AFB, with a 20.1% reduction, are ahead in the race.

"Team Vance has been doing a great job with this project," said Col. Chris Nowland, commander of the 71st Flying Training Wing. "We're on the right track, and can achieve our goal of saving energy and winning up to $1 million to improve the base."

In the first six months of the competition Vance's facilities used the least amount of energy in all of AETC. The facility used approximately 50,648 Million British Thermal Units of energy, spending $626,000. The spending of other bases in the competition ranged from $2,079,000 to $15,103,000.

"This isn't just about winning the contest," explained Colonel Nowland. "We're becoming more efficient, saving energy and Air Force dollars. We should strive to operate this way all the time. It's the right thing to do." 

In this last leg of the race, the differences between the rankings will come down to personal efforts. Members of Team Vance, facility managers in particular, are encouraged to remain vigilant in energy disciplines in the office environment.

For more information about energy conservation on base, contact the Civil Engineering service call center at 213-7555, or Mr. James Stamper, base energy manager, at 213-7154.

"Everybody needs to pitch in as part of the total team Vance. We know it's going to get hot, and we're going to want to consume more energy," Colonel Nowland said. "But through personal efforts and working together, we can pull it off."