Peterson challenges individuals to tackle energy Published May 10, 2007 By Brie Ward 21st Civil Engineer Squadron PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Last year Peterson consumed nearly $8 million worth of energy. An estimated 10 percent of that energy is wasted on leaving lights on, propping doors open and other energy-wasting activities. That's $800,000 wasted annually. If you asked who pays this bill, you'd get a variety of answers. Some might say the government or the American taxpayers. Others might say the Air Force or the contracting officer down the hall. Contracting might sign the check, taxpayers might physically supply the budget, but who really pays? For every dollar we waste leaving our monitors on at night, that's a dollar that could have went toward more body armor for the war fighter or new satellite surveillance technology. That's money we could be spending on making the Air Force, nay, the nation, more effective in fighting the Global War on Terrorism. In the end, everyone pays for these inefficiencies. Seemingly insignificant things can add up to thousands of dollars. So if you are the last person to leave your area at night, turn the lights off. Shut off monitors and desk lights, report water leaks and outside air penetrations. Wasting energy is no longer just your mother nagging you not to "heat the neighborhood." It has a global impact -- now more than ever. Click here to comment on this story.