'Off We Go Energy Reduction Competition' crowns new winner: OC-ALC's Bldg. 3113 Published Oct. 10, 2013 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex's Bldg. 3113 swept the competition. During the three-month summer "Off We Go Energy Reduction Competition," building personnel reduced electric energy consumption by 16 percent over the same period in fiscal 2012. At the Energy Steering Group meeting Sept. 25, winners were presented with a trophy. Introduced last summer by Col. Steven Bleymaier, former 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander, the contest challenged on-base commanders to reduce energy consumption in their headquarters buildings during June, July and August. "Winning this contest validates OC-ALC's commitment to reduce energy consumption while exceeding mission requirements," said Kevin O'Connor, OC-ALC vice director. "Our approach to energy management follows the successful process improvement model in place within our complex -improving our cost effective readiness." The contest was geared toward no-cost behavior changes and encouraged building personnel to turn off lights, appliances, office equipment and the thermostat when they left for the day and weekend. When the contest kicked off June 1, competitors were already up against a challenge. Fiscal 2012 had been the inaugural contest and there had been no previous base-wide efforts to save energy. Some organizations saved upwards of 15 to 20 percent in electric energy usage. Yet, the summer of fiscal 2013 proved to be a different story. While first place OC-ALC Bldg. 3113 saved 16 percent, second placers 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group's Bldg. 4064 and OC-ALC Bldg. 3001 and friends saved a mere 1.6 percent over the same time last year. "I'm proud of my team for how they've internalized energy conservation in the workplace," said Col. Eric DeLange, 38th CEIG commander. "While we may not have won the overall competition, the fact is that our personnel are very conscious of areas where we can conserve energy and they routinely do their part. Any amount of energy savings translates into a win for the Air Force and for the planet as far as I'm concerned." When all was said and done, the OC-ALC Bldg. 3113 saved 80,793 kilowatt hours over the previous year and saved roughly $4,686 because rates were $.058 per kilowatt hour, said Mark McWhirter, 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineering Directorate base energy manager. Competitors and their respective facilities included: 72nd ABW - Bldg. 460 Oklahoma Air Logistics Complex - Bldg. 3113 OC-ALC - Bldg. 3001 and friends 552nd Air Control Wing - Bldg. 280 Strategic Communications Wing One - Bldg. 830 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group - Bldg. 4064