412th TW CC signs Energy Action Month Proclamation

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It seems it comes earlier and earlier every year.

If you have stepped into any of the local department stores recently you'll notice the holiday season displays and items for sale; some put up at the end of September.

Fall is here and winter is approaching, which means one thing - cooler weather. Which, means another thing - increased energy use.

During this past Fiscal Year 2012, the Air Force spent more than $10 billion on energy alone, which is roughly 9.5% of the overall budget.

Edwards has several programs to reduce energy costs and increase efficiency such as the three solar farms in use on base and the Thermal Energy Storage Unit (Ice Machine) at Bldg. 3000.

"As important as technological advances are, people are the most powerful agents of change," said Brig. Gen. Michael T. Brewer, 412th Test Wing commander.

"The more we can reduce our energy consumption, thus saving on our energy bills, the more money we have available to invest in our missions, programs, and more importantly, improve the quality-of-life for our men and women living and working at Edwards AFB."

Brewer signed a proclamation Oct. 12 designating this month as Energy Action Month with the theme "I am Air Force Energy."

Brewer said Team Edwards should all take the initiative to reduce energy consumption in their homes and workplace when able to. Whether it be turning off computer monitors and lights at the end of the work day, turning off lights in unoccupied areas, doing laundry at night during low energy peak times, raising the thermostat a couple of degrees or avoiding idling vehicles for extended periods of time.

"Each and every little thing helps reduce our energy consumption and therefore energy costs on our bills."

Annual energy saving measures that are now in place until May 2013 include temperatures during occupied times to be set to 68 degrees and unoccupied times will be set at 58 degrees.

Occupied hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. All other times including weekends are considered unoccupied times.

Major lighting areas should be turned off at the end of the work day.

For questions regarding space heaters and special temperature requirements, call the Base Energy Manager, Amy Frost, at (661) 275-2126.

Additionally, if you happen to see any energy inefficiencies around the base such as exterior lights on during the day, or broken sprinkler heads spouting water, etc., contact the 412th Civil Engineer Division Customer Support Unit at (661) 277-3330 or 277-3331.

Throughout the month the Base Energy Team will have various displays in facilities and newspaper articles highlighting energy conservation. Additional Energy Action Month activities include the Southern California Edison Mobile Education Unit on display at the Exchange this past week; tours/overview of the Thermal Energy Storage Unit and tours/overview of one of the solar farms.