Wing aims to cut energy costs Published Sept. 28, 2010 By Monica Mendoza 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo -- Peterson Air Force Base is kicking into high gear its efforts to reduce overall energy consumption on base, as directed by federal mandates, the Department of Defense and Air Force goals. Peterson AFB has been reducing its energy consumption since 2007, when the federal legislation and DoD mandates were introduced. The mandates require a 30 percent reduction in energy consumption by 2015. "We have implemented many energy and cost savings initiatives within the wing, so that currently the 21st Space Wing is on track to realize a 5.7 percent reduction for fiscal year 2010," Col. Stephen N. Whiting, 21st Space Wing commander, wrote in a recent letter to wing leaders and mission partners. However, due to mission growth within several energy intense facilities on base, Peterson is forecasting a 1.4 percent increase in energy consumption for the next fiscal year, he said. That, coupled with a 5 percent increase in utility rates for FY 2011, means the 21 SW is projecting a multi-million dollar shortfall for the wing. "Basically, it is a 20 percent shortfall in the wing's utility budget that has to be addressed," said Jim Crum, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron utility engineer. An Energy Strike Force, which includes members from the 21 CES, the 21st Operations Group and other department managers, was created in September to identify energy-saving proposals and implement them so the wing can meet its energy savings goals. Installations at Peterson AFB, Cheyenne Mountain AFS, Thule Air Base, Cavalier AFS, Clear AFS and Cape Cod AFS are making energy saving adjustments and working to speed up energy savings projects. On Peterson, some of those energy-saving proposals include turning off unneeded street lights and parking lot lights - something the City of Colorado Springs did last winter to save money. Some of the energy saving proposals on Peterson AFB include: Increase summer building temperatures to 76 degrees, estimated savings: $240,000 Decrease winter building temperatures to 68 degrees, estimated savings: $115,000 Turn off unneeded street lights, estimated savings: $65,000 Turn off unneeded parking lights, estimated savings: $60,000 Install irrigation control system, estimated savings: $134,000 At Thule, two boilers will be outfitted with an exhaust recovery system, which will be used for heating. That initiative, plus the installation of new lighting fixtures at Thule, should shave $940,000 from the utilities budget in 2011. Cheyenne Mountain also will turn off lights, adjust building temperatures and add lighting projects for a projected savings of $191,000. The combined cuts and energy saving projects at all of the wing's geographically separated units could save $3.7 million. The energy strike force will continue to identify other energy-savings proposals, said Randy Pieper, 21st CES resource efficiency manager. It will take every effort to meet energy reduction goals, he said. "Employees will be asked to turn off printers, lights, appliances, and lamps when they are not using them," Mr. Pieper said. The U.S. Department of Energy has named October as "Energy Awareness Month." Anyone who ideas about how to save energy is encouraged to e-mail PeteLight@Peterson.af.mil or call the Energy Hotline at 556-4900.