Financially tough year for base, AETC’s energy bill

Lackland Air Force Base, Texas — Limited funds at Air Education and Training Command Headquarters means Lackland AFB will have to foot the utility bill for the last month of the 2007 fiscal year.

The bill is expected to be $1.5 million.

"Fiscal Year 2007 will be a very tough year financially for our command," according to Gen. William R. Looney III, AETC commander. "I need your help to bring AETC across the finish line by finding innovative ways to cut costs, save energy and fund the final month of utilities."

In response to the directive, Col. Eric J. Wilbur, commander of the 37th Training Wing, signed an order March 1 implementing a number of energy conservation initiatives immediately.

* Temperature settings on all buildings will be no higher than 68 degrees during heating season and no lower than 78 degrees during cooling season.

* Exterior lights which are controlled by a timer will be turned off by 10 p.m.

* All non-mission-critical interior lights/equipment (including computers monitors) will be turned off at the end of the duty day or no later than 6 p.m.

Security forces, while patrolling Lackland after duty hours, will identify buildings with lights or equipment left on and call the commander who owns the building to have the building manager respond immediately to turn the lights off.

"The energy reduction measures outlined above will go a long way in helping us all achieve our goal of saving on utility costs," said Colonel Wilbur. "With everyone's assistance at Lackland, we will succeed."

Base Energy Manager Andy Hinojosa, who is overseeing efforts to reduce facility energy consumption, said building mangers and all base personnel are expected to help enforce the wing commander's energy and utility cost reduction initiatives.

Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency has published an energy conservation handbook on the responsibilities of building managers. The book is available on the Lackland Intranet on the 37th Civil Engineer Squadron home page. Click on "Environmental Flight" and navigate to "energy conservation programs."

Lackland has instituted a number of energy conservation measures in the past under the Air Force Regional contract, "Energy Saving Performance Contract (ESPC) Program." The conservation measures include replacing inefficient lighting and water fixtures with energy (watts) saving lighting and low flow water fixtures.

"Future ESPC projects will include the implementation of a thermal energy storage tank for peak demand savings, solar energy (green) projects, and infrastructure improvement projects such as chillers, cooling tower, etc. replacement with more energy efficient equipment," explained Mr. Hinojosa.

For questions or comments about energy conservation, call the base energy manager at 671-0252.