Conservation results in base energy savings Published April 13, 2006 By SrA Roberto Modelo 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind -- Did you know that with the flick of a switch or the turn of a knob here on base, you can have an effect on Grissom’s budget as well as an effect on the federal governments need for that energy? Due to the efforts of the Grissom members, the command's goal of reducing energy usage by two percent set for Grissom was topped with a 29 percent reduction between the fiscal years of 2003 and 2006. “The Air Force Reserve Command has asked us to reduce energy usage,” said John Robison, supervisory general engineer with 434th Civil Engineering Squadron. “The overall goal is to meet the presidential order to reduce energy usage. That goal also drives a financial reduction in theory.” Over the past three years energy usage has gone down. However, the demand for energy has increased which caused each unit of energy to be more expensive. “This year the units prices have gone up so much that even though we reduced energy usage our overall dollar value consumed went up quite a lot,” said Mr. Robison. “Also the big saver this year has been that it has been a lot warmer than normal,” he added. “So consequently we haven’t had the heating requirements that we have had in the years past.” The unit prices used by civil engineering for a comparison consist of gas and electric energy used on base as well as our support units on the aeroplex, even though the actual metering is done by two different companies. The units are measured in million British thermal units, a measurement widely used by energy companies. Even though weather played a role in reducing energy used, personnel here can continue to decrease energy usage by practicing a little conservation when they can. “We want to try to remain vigilant when we are taking care of our buildings,” Mr. Robison said. “We need to keep the doors shut when it’s blowing cold outside and keep the windows shut when it is air conditioning season.” “Treat it as if you were paying the bill at home,” he concluded.
