AETC tasks bases to reduce energy consumption

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
In a memo dated Dec. 29, General William R. Looney III, Air Education and Training Command commander, tasked his command with reducing energy consumption, and therefore, energy cost.

"Due to extremely limited funding, AETC has assumed a large share of your utility bills as command risk," General Looney said. "Unfortunately this means we currently have enough funds to cover only 11 months of utility bills."

This dramatic lack of funding isn't due to misuse of resources by members of AETC, it's a direct result of rising energy costs all over the country. In fact, AETC has reduced its energy consumption by more than 40 percent since 1985.

"Despite reducing our consumption,"General Looney said, "we spent over $98 million on utilities in fiscal year 2006; a 27 percent increase over FY 2005."

Team Sheppard has led the way in reducing energy consumption in AETC, having reduced its energy consumption by 38.2 percent in FY 2006, based on energy usage in FY 2003, according to Sam Hagins, base energy manager with the 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron.

Unfortunately, while consumption has gone down prices have risen. Resulting in Sheppard spent $16.3 million on energy costs in FY 2006, compared to only $11.8 million in FY 2005, Mr. Hagins said.

Most of Sheppard's focus will be on the air conditioning season and ways to reduce the high cost of keeping cool in the summer.

"Air conditioning is our biggest expenditure," Mr. Hagins said. "During the summer it doubles our energy use. It's tremendous."

Sheppard has a number of programs set up to continue lowering the cost of energy on base. During warmer seasons, when air conditioning is used, the 82nd CES runs a load reduction program that charges Team Sheppard to turn half the lights off in their work area.

Also the 82nd CES monitors energy use at various buildings and at the end of every month issues a "bill" to the group commanders of the buildings that are using too much energy. They then go in an audit the buildings energy use, making suggestions and changes where needed.

In addition to these programs, the 82nd CES observes work schedules closely and adjusts the bases automatic heating and cooling system accordingly. The heating and cooling of buildings is run by the Engery Management and Control System, which allows for a tighter control of energy use.

The ECMS follows AETC's temperature standards of 70 to 72 degrees in the "heating" season and 76 to 78 degrees in the "cooling" season. Of course, the 82nd CES can step in and make adjustments to the heating and cooling as needed.

"On moderate days we turn off boilers and try to control room temperatures with the outside air," Mr. Hagins said.

Doing easy, everyday things like closing doors or switching off lights can help ease the rising cost of energy.

"Do basically the same thing you'd do at home," Mr. Hagins said.