USARCENT is amped to teach conservation awareness

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers conduct a Solar Shade Demonstration. Solar shades reduce the amount of sunlight beating down on a structure, blocking up to 90 percent of solar heat rays, resulting in a cost reduction by as much as 40 percent. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army Central)  

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, UNITED STATES

10.24.2014

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Central   

By Maj. Tai J. Mcburney
Petroleum Management Officer
Special to USARCENT Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - “It’s all about keeping Soldiers in the fight.”

That’s the sentiment of United States Army Central Commanding General James L. Terry, whose staff and Soldiers have been developing exhibits, studies, morale boosting runs, and otherwise educating its Soldiers, civilians and the community about conservation awareness. In 2009, President Obama declared October as Energy Action Month. It has been identified by the Secretary of the Army as a top 10 priority.

This month, in observance of Energy Action Month and in support of USARCENT’s Line of Effort, ‘Set the Theater’; USARCENT is heightening awareness to conserve energy usage during times of national fiscal constraints.

The Army's energy goals, as defined in the 2009 Army Energy Security Implementation Strategy, to reduce energy consumption includes increasing energy efficiency, increasing use of renewable/alternative energy, assuring access to sufficient energy supplies and reducing adverse impacts to the environment.

USARCENT supports the Army's energy goals by decreasing the amount of electricity, fuel and battery power used.

“This begins with changing the command climate relative to energy consumption,” said Sgt. 1st Class Anthony J. Baxter, USARCENT Energy Efficiency Campaign representative. “USARCENT has launched an extensive Energy Awareness Campaign. We had our first new comers briefing, which introduced Operational Energy, to all the new personnel that are coming in. We are developing a training program that will be done quarterly; we have developed posters; we have instituted screen savers; and we have a message from the commanding general instructing Soldiers to start looking for ways to reduce energy usage.”

Last year alone, USARCENT consumed 583,000 barrels of fuel in Kuwait and Qatar through everyday operations such as transportation and powering equipment and structures, resulting in an overall cost of approximately $60.6 million. By taking an active role in conserving and reducing energy; incorporating new energy efficient technologies and practices, increasing use of renewable energy sources, awareness campaigns and improved power distribution networks, this figure can be drastically reduced.


Education and awareness of energy consumption remains one of USARCENT's major focuses. As the Army strives toward energy efficiency among garrison and operational bases, they will rely heavily on the participation and cooperation of Soldiers, DOD civilians and family members who work and live on a military installation.

The culture change doesn’t just start here at USARCENT; it has to be a daily habit to ensure it is engrained in each and every member of the USARCENT team. Steps that can be taken by individuals to reduce energy includes adjusting thermostats, monitoring energy consumption, cut out excessively long vehicle idle times, turn off lights not in use and monitoring water usage. Taking time to discuss energy issues with peers will help spread the news about operational energy. The key is to educate and reinforce energy conservation practices.

Various practices to conserve energy are already in place and have been written in an article, “Army Green is Army Strong.” Some examples of implemented practices are: vehicle transmission systems that consume only one gallon per hour, when riding at a low idle (a 92 percent efficiency gain); the Kuwait Energy Efficient Project (KEEP) which improves shelter efficiency and reduces fuel demand; saving millions of gallons of fuel and water in the Central Command Area of Responsibility.

"I expect each member of the U.S. Army Central community, Soldiers, family members and civilian employees alike to improve conservation and enhance our energy security by taking actions to reduce wasteful behaviors,” said Terry. “Together, we can obtain energy and cost savings while continuing to provide stellar service and accomplish our missions."

• Date Taken: 10.24.2014
• Date Posted: 10.24.2014 15:37
• Story ID: 146012
• Location: SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, US