Navy, 38th CEG engage in contest; excited about energy saving efforts

Published Aug. 20, 2012
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It's on, or rather, it's off!

As the summer heats up and electricity bills escalate, the "Off We Go Energy Reduction Competition" between several on-base headquarters' facilities remains fierce. In fact, the Navy, who remains at the top of the leaderboard, and 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group insist the fight to the finish isn't over.

"I was in the lead for five weeks and now I'm tied and I don't like losing. I don't like losing at anything," said Navy Capt. Charles "Chuck" Baker, Strategic Communications Wing ONE and Task Force 124 commander. "In the Kentucky Derby a horse can lead the whole way and then get overtaken at the end and lose. I'm turning my monitor off every night to save that one-tenth of a cent."

In all seriousness, STRATCOMMWING ONE and 38th CEIG are just two organizations in the contest vying for a win and overall energy savings. Captain Baker said he appreciates the contest and the awareness it's bringing to the base, but saving energy is a responsibility the military owes to taxpayers.

"We are very blessed in the Department of Defense and especially the Navy. Our taxpayers give us great equipment and great Sailors, but we have an obligation to those taxpayers and that is to save money and not be wasteful," he said. "This is another example of where we can improve, and we have an obligation to improve."

Since 2008, the Navy has participated in the Energy Savings Performance Contracts pilot program to reduce energy consumption in federal buildings. To do so, the Navy pays the same energy costs and a private contractor comes in and fits the facilities with energy-saving measures such as lighting sensors and they profit on the energy savings. It's a 20-year commitment.

In fiscal 2011, Captain Baker said his campus already saw a reduction of $1.05 million, which amounts to roughly $300,000 a year in savings.

Though the savings are significant, Captain Baker said Bldg. 830 is at a disadvantage within the contest. Unlike other headquarters' building, with the exception of Bldg. 3001, the Navy facility has both administration and training areas, which includes two E-6B Mercury simulators that use a substantial amount of energy.

But, where the personnel of Bldg. 830 can make changes, they are. Air conditioning units are used when necessary and shut off when not. Fliers have been distributed and a culture change has been accepted.

Andre Tran said the personnel of the 38th CEIG headquarters' building, Bldg. 4064, have also accepted a culture change and are eager to reduce energy consumption. Yet much it is out of need.

Only 25 percent capacity of the facility's air conditioning is working, which encourages building employees to find other ways to keep cool. Usually, the building's temperature is set in the 60s, but now it holds steady at approximately 75 degrees.

To keep the temperature as low as possible and conserve energy, Mr. Tran, facility manager and electronics engineer for the group, said computer monitors are set to "sleep" mode at the end of each workday, windows are shaded, cracks have been sealed and hallways are illuminated by a minimal number of lights.

"We are proud of all the things we have done to save energy and the government as much money as we can," Mr. Tran said. "We know what we are doing and we just hope everyone else is doing what they can to save energy."

Captain Baker agreed and said he is glad Col. Steven Bleymaier, 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander, proposed the contest.

"With his idea to make a competition, it increased awareness across Tinker and Team Tinker is playing -- that deserves some recognition," he said. "I think it's a brilliant idea to raise energy awareness."