Moody sets energy goal

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley-Sisk
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Last year, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., fell 40 percent shy of its goal to save 15 percent on energy costs. This year, Moody's energy team hopes that throughout the next 12 months, it can meet fiscal 2011's goal of 18 percent.

Because approximately 84 percent of the energy used on Moody goes toward operating and maintaining aircraft, this goal will be reached through individual vigilance in decreasing energy usage.

"With October being Energy Awareness Month, we want to bring the importance of wise energy use to the forefront of everyone's mind," said Don Montgomery, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron base energy manager and Energy Team member. "As energy becomes a more expensive commodity, we need to be more aware of how we use it. We are only given so much money to spend on energy and saving as much as possible is essential."

Along with Mr. Montgomery, his fellow energy team members hope to encourage individuals to take the initiative to help the Air Force consume less energy.

"Currently, the Air Force is the biggest energy user in both the federal government and the local community," said Althea Spriggs, 23rd CES resource efficiency manager. "People point out that we are always talking about saving energy, but they don't realize that enough simply isn't being done about it. The most progress will be made when each person is mindful of how they use energy and when they take steps to use less."

However, the team also knows that a great amount of energy usage is not optional. Facilities must still use water and electricity, but they are encouraged to do it as wisely as possible.

"We know that energy is essential to day-to-day operations, but we are currently using way too much of it," Mrs. Spriggs said. "To help units be more efficient, the 23rd CES is developing and working on several projects."

Energy initiative projects include installing motion sensors, improving lighting fixtures, installing solar panels and replacing air conditioning units in several facilities.

In addition to setting up an information booth at the base exchange Fridays in October, the team will also take its campaign to the youth center to help stress energy conservation to a younger audience.

"A common trend is that people will behave toward energy at work the way they behave toward it at home," Mr. Montgomery said. "So if we can influence children, they will not only influence their parents, but they will grow up being more proactive."

Other events throughout the month will include availability of free energy-efficient items and a walk-through of several facilities to check their efficiency with a light meter.

The Air Force's theme for this year is "A new culture: energy as an operations enabler" and is stressed in a recent message from the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

More information on Moody's energy awareness campaign can be found at http://www.moody.af.mil/energyinitiative.asp.

Editor's note: This is the first article in a series about energy awareness and what people can do to help conserve energy.