Keesler kicks off Energy Action Month

Published Oct. 10, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Alexandria Mosness
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Team Keesler kicked off Energy Action Month with eWarrior, Keesler's superhero energy mascot, greeting personnel at the front gate Sept. 30.

The month is recognized throughout the federal government, and in the Air Force the month is centered on the campaign "I am Air Force Energy." This is dedicated to educating Airmen on ways they can maximize their energy efficiency and mission effectiveness.

The Air Force launched its month-long series of educational opportunities and activities with a letter to all Airmen from Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody.

The leaders wrote, "Energy is a fundamental component of all Air Force operations. The smart use of energy means flying our aircraft farther, transporting more cargo and accomplishing our mission in a more efficient and effective way."

"Energy Action Month is an important tool to remind every member of Team Keesler that they are essential towards achieving energy reduction at our bases," said William Stevenson, KAFB energy manager. "Military installations have a lot of energy capacity available in order to meet our mission objectives and the use of most of that energy is absolutely necessary; however, it is easy to take that energy for granted."

Most people can remember their parents scolding them with the sayings, "money doesn't grow on trees," and "we are not made of money," when you left the lights on or the refrigerator open. However, because members are not personally footing the bill, they tend to forget that leaving the lights on needlessly costs the Air Force money, explained the energy manager.

"Everything from leaving the lights on in an empty conference room to having a personal refrigerator in one's office is an unnecessary consumption of both financial (electric and gas bills) and natural (coal, oil, gas) resources," Stevenson added. "Keesler Airmen have the power to protect and conserve those resources, and EAM is a reinforcement of that power and the importance of it."

The month is designed to bring awareness to energy conservation by educating the base populous about ways they can conserve energy. Looking at the cost of the base's electricity and gas bills gives everyone an idea of how the little things add up.

"The most shocking fact that I have shared with personnel is the size of our utility bills...typically in excess of one million dollars each month," exclaimed Stevenson. "Most people cannot fathom having a million dollars, let alone spending that much on the electric bill."

"It is always surprising to them; but at the same time, the nature of our energy use can work against the effectiveness of that high cost," he added. "The 'relative' cost of powering that refrigerator or that personal space heater seems inconsequential toward that high of a bill and can breed apathy toward conservation efforts.

"This is why we have Energy Action Month, because the energy that each of us uses on a daily basis adds up to that cost and it will take each of us taking conscious action in order to reduce those costs and conserve our resources."

If it isn't needed, turn it off, Stevenson explained as the simplest step in energy conservation.

"That concept may seem simplistic, but it is by far the most immediate and effective measure that anyone can take and is often the most underutilized one," he added.

Other ways to conserve energy are:

- Turn off the lights in an empty room
- Use community break rooms
- Unplug and remove excess and unused appliances
- Be aware of your surroundings and report maintenance issues

"These actions are swift and have no extra costs," Stevenson said. "I'd encourage everyone to take a close look at their personal energy use and take action to reduce energy consumption both at home and work."

For more information about EAM events or if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas for helping to achieve our energy reduction and conservation goals, you can contact the Keesler Energy Management Office at 228-376-8637.

Air Force News Service contributed to this report.

‘I am Air Force Energy’ campaign kicks off