Energy awareness month kicks off Published Sept. 30, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It's no secret Tinker makes energy awareness a year-round effort. But, with the start of Energy Awareness Month tomorrow, base energy officials said it's time to really put a spotlight on conservation efforts. Throughout the month, Tinker energy officials will host several activities promoting the Air Force's stance on energy and its three goals -- reduce demand, increase supply and change the culture. "Our energy consumption has a huge impact on our environment, our economy and operational security," said Britton Young, Tinker's Energy Team point-of-contact in the 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate. "Airmen, with a capital A, have the ability to impact our energy with small things like turning off a light or a computer monitor to the big things like making an equipment purchase and buying the most energy-efficient piece of machinery." Ms. Young said, as is, Tinker is meeting the Air Force energy goal of an 18 percent reduction in energy usage since fiscal 2003. The goal is a 3 percent reduction per year in comparison to a fiscal 2003 baseline. The final goal is a 30 percent reduction in fiscal 2015. To reach the final goal, Ms. Young said considerations have to be made and the United States needs to utilize other means of obtaining energy. "We're really dependent on foreign countries for our energy and the way we operate today. The more dependent we are on that energy, the more dependent we are on them," she said. "If we can pull that back, it will make us more secure." To do that, Ms. Young said we need to think outside the box and use wind and solar power, or burn trash or algae and convert it to energy and save our fossil fuels. "In theater, if it's necessary to get fuel to people, we may have to drive through dangerous areas, putting our men and women in danger," she said. "If we burn waste to generate energy, those men and women that would have been traveling that dangerous route to deliver fuel are able to stay out of harms' way." Tinker personnel have already suggested several energy conservation ideas including fixing the lighting issues at the Air Depot truck gate, No. 34. Base employees found the lights remained on, even when unnecessary. Energy and 72nd ABW/CE officials researched the problem. Fixing it cost $650 and saved 23,450 kilowatt hours. It also offered a 12-year payback, meaning in 12 years, the action will have avoided the energy use costing the amount of work done to repair the truck-gate lights, Ms. Young said. To learn more about energy conservation, Tinker will host an energy expo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at Hollywood and Vine in Bldg. 3001. Vendors will offer information on energy and water-efficient products and electric vehicles. Tinker personnel can also participate in a 3K "Off We Go" fun run at 3 p.m., Oct. 19. The run will leave from Gerrity Sports and Fitness Center and wind through base housing. Additionally, Ms. Young said she will speak to the children at the Youth Center and share energy-conservation tips with them. To ask an energy-related question or submit an energy-conservation idea, email energy@tinker .af.mil.