AFMC Command News

Kirtland civilian earns energy savings award

  • Published
  • By Danny Monahan
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  A 377th Civil Engineer Division member here recently earned a 2011 Federal Energy and Water Management award.

Cliff Richardson led a campaign that has reduced energy consumption here by almost 10 percent, saving more than $22 million during the last decade.

The award is part of a U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy Management Program initiative to highlight organizations and individuals that make a significant contribution to improve energy efficiency and water conservation.

"To be chosen for this award out of all these people is pretty special," said Richardson. "Kirtland has come a long way in helping the Air Force reach its energy conservation goals."

In 1999, Richardson established the Energy Savings Performance Contract that has saved the base 202 billion British thermal units per year. In 2005, he started a project to detect water leaks that saves Kirtland 179,000,000 gallons of water annually. Richardson has also developed a checklist for 450 base facility managers to better evaluate, analyze and determine energy use to more effectively target energy-saving practices.

Richardson, who has been a certified energy engineer for more than 25 years, continues to look at ways to conserve energy and water for the base.

"Recently, the base was awarded money for the design of a 300,000-gallon water tank that will be placed in Zia Park," said Richardson. "It will be hooked up to the County Water Authority's reusable water supply to irrigate much of the base's landscaping, such as the golf course and the parade ground."

The base will also save more water because of a plan to replace grass with xeric landscaping in several areas, he said. Richardson is also working on replacing many facilities heating and cooling systems with more efficient ground-source heat pumps.

"People need to be aware of energy and water conservation, and I think Kirtland is doing its part," said Richardson. "October is Energy Action Month and I highly encourage people to do their part to conserve our resources all year long."

The Air Force received nearly half the of the Federal Energy and Water Management awards earned by the Department of Defense, taking four team awards and three individual awards.

An award luncheon is scheduled for Oct. 13, 2011, in Washington, D.C., which Richardson plans to attend.