Photo By Master Sgt. Lynette Hoke | On Thursday, November 10th members of the 133rd Airlift Wing received a Clean Energy...... read more read more
The Minnesota Clean Energy Community Award is acknowledgement of the work done by communities to further the state’s clean energy goals by implementing programs, policies, and technologies that encourage energy efficiency, conversation, and reviewable energy generations. The Clean Energy Community Award program is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Commerce with financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy and The McKnight Foundation.
“I saw that the Minnesota Department of Commerce was looking for nominations for that award and the 133rd Airlift Wing easily hit most of the criteria,” said Ms. Ruth Ann Scoles, Resource Efficiency Manager at the Air National Guard Civil Engineering Technical service Center. Scoles submitted the unit for the award early in 2016.
According to the Minnesota Clean Energy Community Webpage, Successful Clean Energy Community applicants will have implemented initiatives that satisfy a majority of the following criteria: Policy development, such as incorporation of energy goals in a community’s comprehensive, sustainability, zoning, or climate Action Plans that provide measurable clean energy achievements in public buildings, infrastructure and/or private businesses and residences. Community partnerships and stakeholder education with local business, industry, agriculture, nonprofits, utilities, or residents to meet energy goals.
During a formal ceremony at the Minnesota Science Museum on Nov. 10, the 133rd Airlift Wing became the only non-municipality to be awarded this great distinction.
Some of the noted accomplishments for this Minnesota Air Guard unit were a decrease its total annual energy intensity by 40% from 2003 to 2015 and it decreased its total annual water intensity (GAL per square feet) by nearly 50% from 2007 to 2015.
Members of base CE would say ‘it’s business as usual’, but it’s not that way for similar communities, according to Scoles. “I thought it was great because it would open up a new network and get them in touch with more areas around the state that are doing similar things. Regardless what motivations people have for wanting clean and renewable energy, it’s a win-win-win for everyone.
The Air National Guard has accomplished these reductions through a comprehensive strategy that includes local policy, community partnership, user education, aretro-commissioning, high efficiency system upgrades, sub-metering and heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls.
“I think it’s a great accomplishment for everyone in the wing, from the airman all way the up to the wing commander… it also includes the entire the Air Force community that pushes energy conversation and renewable energy”, said Capt. Fernando Nacionales, Deputy Base Civil Engineer and Energy Manager of the 133rd Airlift Wing.
The 133rd Airlift Wing has been a leader in practicing energy efficiency. Maximizing on education and leveraging large operations to realize the greater efficiency has been just a few things that have help the unit lead the way in their energy efforts.
“A combination of a cultural change, having each member of the wing buying into a culture of efficiency,” said Nacionales. “Making sure things are turned off, not wasting water, just really basic stuff. That coupled with targeted energy reducing projects like solar films and high efficiency HVAC systems".
Minnesota has a number of clean energy goals, including: Minnesota Next Generation Energy Act, Renewable Electricity Standard, Solar Electricity Standard, Petroleum Replacement Goal and Biofuel and Biodiesel Content Mandates.
This award fulfills a lot of goals for different people, said Scoles. Whether it is decreasing emission, saving money or just the motivation to have a cleaner world…everyone on base has their own niche and when they come together and they just made it happen.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.03.2017 19:33 |
| Story ID: | 214862 |
| Location: | ST. PAUL, MN, US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 133rd Airlift Wing Receives Minnesota State Award for Clean Energy Efforts, by MSgt Lynette Hoke, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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