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Energy Action Month: I am Air Force Energy

  • Published
  • By Angela Knight
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
Summer has left and autumn has come, marking the beginning of the Air Force's Energy Action Month, "I am Air Force Energy."

Similar to years prior, the Air Force is aiming to become more environmentally and economically efficient, each year improving from the last.

Fuel and electricity now make up approximately 10 percent of the Air Force's budget and every dollar saved allows more investment into the Airmen, their families, and the overall mission.

Although strides have been made and aircraft are now being fueled with alternative fuel blends, 50 percent petroleum-based and 50 percent biofuel, it's the Airmen who have the greatest power to curb the Air Force's energy consumption.

Simple actions such as turning off the lights when leaving a room, readjusting one's air conditioner to a warmer temperature, sharing appliances at work, and turning off one's computer when leaving work all save energy and reduce costs.

Kadena's "Power Nap" initiative, which is the powering off of electronics from 1-4 p.m. when electricity is most expensive, reduced the base's kilowatt consumption by $8 million in 2012. Alone the benefits of energy conservation appear faint, however, as a whole they are immense.

Though innovations, new technologies and processes more than $100-150 billion and 42 gallons of jet fuel were saved in the last fiscal year.

"Every gallon of fuel and watt of electricity we save allows us to have more resources to meet other Air Force priorities," said Kathleen Ferguson, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics.

When leaving a room, turn off the lights and shut down your computer and remember you are Air Force energy.