Conservation = $avings

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  October is Energy Awareness Month and Dover Air Force Base, like many bases around the world, is paying careful attention to energy consumption and plans to use three percent less energy in fiscal year 2008, than it did in 2007.

Budget constraints, environmental-protection concerns and reducing dependency on foreign oil has prompted prudent use of resources here, according to April Stewart, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron energy manager.

She said one major problem is the demand for oil.

"In 1860, the United States was using the equivalent of 111 million barrels of oil annually," said Ms. Stewart. "Today, the United States uses that much oil in less than a week."

Knowing this, Americans have learned national resources are not endless and have since looked for cleaner and better energy sources.

"We learned to harness the energy from nuclear power, which provides 20 percent of our (nation's) electricity," said Ms. Stewart. "We also are learning ways to more efficiently use renewable energy like solar, hydro, wind and thermal."

Currently, renewable energy only accounts for about eight percent of the nation's energy, she said.

Congress is considering initiatives to bolster renewable energy usage in
America.

The resolution, called "25 by '25," stated that by 2025, at least 25 percent of total U.S. energy will come from renewable, domestically-produced sources.

"It is worthwhile, once a year, to stop and think about this pervasive influence on our lives," said Ms. Stewart. "We need to understand the role of energy today, and properly plan for its future."

Team Dover can impact spending and help the environment by being aware of energy consumption in their homes and work centers, said Ms. Stewart.

"We need to be more aware of how we use and waste energy," she said. "Turning off lights, computers (and monitors), printers, coffee machines and other appliances are all little things we all can and should do to help."

By being an active participant and helping Dover AFB save energy, Airmen are saving the environment and saving the base money in the process, said Ms. Stewart.

"Lets be good energy stewards during Energy Awareness Month and the rest of the year," she said.