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Energy Action Month: Powering possibilities

  • Published
  • By Chad Kneisley, Energy Management Team
  • 88th Civil Engineer Group

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- As we continue Energy Action Month, it’s good to remind ourselves how to limit our carbon footprint.

With the increasing impacts of climate change, large-scale natural disasters and growing threats of physical and cyberattacks on utilities, coordinating energy and water resilience has never been more important. Even small changes by everyone can have large impacts on protecting the power and assuring that energy is available for the mission.

Everyone plays a part. If we all remain cognitive of daily energy use, then we can make a difference. Here are some helpful tips that outline actions to conserve energy at the office: 

  • Switch off all unnecessary lights, especially when you leave for the night.
  • Use dimmers or motion and occupancy sensors to automatically turn off lighting when not in use. 
  • In the upcoming winter months, open blinds on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your workspace. At night, close the blinds to reduce heat loss. 
  • Unplug equipment that drains energy when not in use (i.e., cellphone chargers, fans, coffee makers, desktop printers and radios) 
  • Carpool, bike or use mass transit when commuting to work. 
  • Save paper. Photocopy only what you need. Always use the backside of the paper, either by printing on both sides or using the blank side as scrap paper.
  • Verify the energy-management system switches into setback mode during unoccupied hours.

Resilience-focused: Energy projects should bolster an installation’s ability to respond to and recover from a loss of power.

Mission-centric: Identify interdependencies and mission impacts that may have otherwise been overlooked and recognize that additional vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities come with the geographical dispersion of missions.

Water-inclusive: To address issues from stressed resources to rights disputes, the Air Force is more fully incorporating water into resilience efforts through a comprehensive management framework.

Climate-informed: Incorporate comprehensive adaptation and mitigation measures across energy and infrastructure projects to secure resilience against climate threats, while addressing contributions to greenhouse-gas emissions.

The Installation Energy Strategic Plan aligns Wright-Patterson Air Force Base energy efforts with mission needs. By placing a greater focus on resilience and mission, the strategic plan will create an enterprise that is ultimately more prepared to deliver energy and water when and where needed to protect the nation, its values and interests.