CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- The Department of Defense spends $3.8 billion annually to power more than 500 military installations, worldwide, and is the biggest consumer of energy of all the United States government entities. However, the DoD is well on its way to reducing its energy consumption on military bases by 34 percent by 2020, according to Joe Sikes, the DoD director for installation facilities and energy.
The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes October as National Energy Awareness Month. The 2010 National Energy Awareness Month theme is "Powering America; we're on Target." The theme depicts how, across the nation, federal agencies continue to focus on energy targets for the importance of stimulating the economy, lowering operating expenses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and achieving long-term energy and economic security.
The U.S. is the single largest domestic user of energy, said Lubka Robertson, an electrical engineer at the Environmental Affairs Branch, Facility Engineers Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. The federal government spends more than $9 billion to power its vehicles and operations at approximately 500,000 facilities throughout the U.S. alone.
Robertson broke down what MCB Butler consumed and paid for this past year:
Electricity - 395 billion watt-hours totalling $55 million.
Water - 1.201 billion gallons totalling $11 million.
Fuel - 1.401 million gallons totalling $4 million.
"We, as tax payers, paid these bills from our hard-earned salaries," Robertson said. "Energy shortages and high cost of utilities may appear to be overwhelming issues not easily addressed by single individuals, but the fact remains that each individual is a part of the solution as a whole."
With so many major global challenges tied to energy use, including air pollution, climate change, volatile fuel supplies and costs, aging energy infrastructure, and reliance on fossil fuels, it makes no sense not to choose energy efficiency as a basic work ethic and lifestyle.
"Efficient energy management at federal facilities will save taxpayer dollars, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect the environment and natural resources, and contribute to our national security," said Robertson.
A large percentage of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while products are turned off because many devices continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are switched off. This consumption can be avoided by unplugging the devices. "Phantom" loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances because the off button really puts the appliance into standby mode.
"Throughout the day, DoD service members and civilians make choices on how much energy we consume. By choosing to conserve energy, we can all participate in the new energy-reduction trend. We have the power to shape the future of energy consumption," said Robertson.
DoD personnel play a vital role in applying everyday measures to conserve energy. Here are some simple ways everyone can help with energy conservation from the Department of Energy:
Turning off the lights in any room not being used, or when leaving a room unoccupied.
Turning off computers, monitors, speakers, and other peripheral equipment when not in use, both in the office and at home.
Using fans during warm months to create a wind chill effect.
Using compact fluorescent light bulbs in place of comparable incandescent bulbs saves about 50 percent on lighting consumption costs. CFLs use only 25 percent the energy and last up to 10 times longer.
Carpooling and public transportation cut mileage and car maintenance costs.
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking) wastes gas. Refraining from aggressive driving can lower highway gas mileage 33 percent and city mileage 5 percent.
In the home, cleaning the lint filter in the dryer after every load improves air circulation and lowers energy consumption.
The federal government is pointing the way toward energy security and renewed economic prosperity. Investments in clean energy technologies are accelerating at an extraordinary pace, Robertson added.
Transforming the federal fleet and automotive infrastructure by replacing outdated vehicles with fuel-efficient hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, reducing energy demand through the procurement of energy efficient products, and tapping the power of efficiency and renewable energy through constructing, operating, and maintaining high-performance buildings are just a few things being done to reduce energy consumption, said Robertson.
"During Energy Awareness Month, and throughout the year, we must all remember that saving energy is an individual priority and focus," Robertson said. "We can safeguard our energy infrastructure and reduce our carbon footprint in all that we do through simple choices and attention to energy efficiency."
For more information on energy conservation, visit the Department of Energy at www.energy.gov.