Naval Base Guam recognizes Energy Awareness Month

SANTA RITA, GUAM

10.28.2014

Story by Jeffrey Landis 

U.S. Naval Base Guam

By Jeff Landis

SANTA RITA, Guam – Although people across America, its territories and military facilities abroad recognize October as Energy Awareness Month, it is a year-round effort. Throughout October and beyond, the Navy and Marine Corps are working to increase awareness of energy as a strategic resource, with this year’s theme, “Energy Action=Mission Success.”

Many of the projects here on Guam are helping to preserve energy and save money. Naval Base Guam received a Blue Level Achievement Award recently from the Fiscal Year 2014 Secretary of the Navy’s Energy and Water Management Program Awards. The Blue Level award indicates a “well-rounded energy program.”

To accomplish energy and water management efficiencies, Naval Base Guam installed at least three Energy Control Measures, with the most visible being the solar panel field on Marine Corps Drive. There have also been ongoing lighting upgrades in numerous buildings and building controls in several buildings to monitor and manage efficiencies, according to Derek Briggs, Energy Officer for Naval Base Guam.

“It’s a little difficult to explain – especially with building control measures – how we plan to conserve energy and how the return on investment will look into the future,” he said. “But, what we’re noticing is that Navy Base personnel are paying attention and doing their part. Of course, there is always more we can do. October is the sweet spot for promoting energy awareness, but we should do it throughout the year. Good habits are formed over a period of time.”

Briggs explained that it might not seem like conserving energy by replacing light bulbs in several of Guam facilities, but these long-life bulbs are expected to save close to $900,000 a year, not including the man-hours required to replace the bulbs. The other effort is expanding Energy Management Control System (EMCS) and Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Controls where appropriate. These building controls will enable the building infrastructure to operate at a better capacity, and saving nearly $670,000 per year.

“Proper maintenance and equipment selection can save Naval Base Guam resources, time and/or money,” said Briggs. “Our engineers, utilities and facilities, and maintenance personnel understand the true value of energy, but all of us can make personal and professional decisions about our daily energy use.”

As one of the Secretary of the Navy’s top priorities, Naval Base Guam is taking this priority as a challenge to do its very best. Being good stewards of energy and water management is not just a facility manager’s job. Everyone can do something to help. Think about ways to reduce consumption, waste less and free up funding to support our warfighters.

“We want to focus on how energy security is directly tied to our operational capabilities,” said Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy. “It is imperative that energy security informs and shapes the decisions we make from research and development to training and installation operations, to deployments aboard ship and ashore. We must recognize opportunities for energy to increase our capability and work to incorporate them early in the procurement process for our future force.”

Energy Tips for Everyone … every day:

• Set air conditioning above 74 degrees
• Turn off lights and equipment when not being used
• Don’t let the water run
• Keep the tires of your car properly inflated
• Report energy and water waste at the Energy Waste Hotline at 349-4674

For more information, contact the Naval Base Guam Public Affairs Office at 671-339-2664/2663.

• Date Taken: 10.28.2014
• Date Posted: 10.27.2014 23:31
• Story ID: 146249
• Location: SANTA RITA, GU