October Energy Action Month

Photo By Laurie Pearson | Saving energy takes and all hands approach.  

MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CA, UNITED STATES

09.26.2019

Story by Laurie Pearson  

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

Energy Action Month is an opportunity to remind the military community on the base just how much we rely on energy and to encourage everyone to conserve energy.

Anthony Mesa, Installation Energy Manager with Public Works, has a few reminders for base personnel aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.

“Whether at home or in the office, each of us can do things to conserve energy and have a positive impact,” Mesa said. “We can turn off certain things here like task lighting, computer screens, lights. Both at work and at home, people should be aware of their Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) settings, so that they can make it as comfortable as possible without using excessive energy.”

October is a month to focus on the resources, and then develop better habits going forward, Mesa explained. Habits can demonstrate a pattern of behavior and those habits can prove to be a good example for those in the local community, as well. Those new habits can develop and reoccur throughout the year, and perhaps a lifetime. The intent is to encourage people not just to be aware of the environmental conditions and resources, but to take action.

“Some of the things that people can do to take action are turn off lights when they leave a room,” Mesa said. “Replace equipment with more energy efficient devices, such as refrigerators, dish washers, laundry machines and other appliances. We should also turn off lights in unoccupied spaces such as conference rooms and break rooms.”

The intent is to decrease the energy use footprint for the base, but is not limited to just the one resource. Water conservation is another area people are encouraged to make improvements.

“We want to conserve as much of our natural resources as possible,” Mesa said. “For instance, the recent drought response was troubling. If we, as a state, conserved and stored more water, we would have been able to respond better. Conserve water by using drip water systems set on timers, and ensuring that you don’t overwater, and let it run down the sidewalks and streets. Ensure that toilets aren’t leaking and have efficient plumbing.”

One of the reasons for conserving energy is because it helps with an impact on greenhouse gases. Energy, whether electricity or energy used to operate a motor vehicle produce emissions. For instance, a vehicle operated by gasoline or diesel puts out exhaust which impacts the environment. The energy we use from utility companies primarily burns fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas which increases the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. So using energy more wisely reduces these greenhouse gases.

“For one person, it might seem minor, but can you imagine if every person on the whole base did the same, reducing their energy usage even a small percentage, what kind of impact that can have?” Mesa asked. “People don’t realize that if enough people do it, for the whole year, it adds up.”

So, take the challenge and take action! Employees are tasked with looking around their work and home spaces for ways in which they each can play a pivotal role in energy conservation.

• Date Taken: 09.26.2019
• Date Posted: 10.03.2019 18:16
• Story ID: 345924
• Location: MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CA, US