Wright-Patt Set to Observe Active Energy Action Month

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  October as National Energy Action Month, provides an opportunity for Airmen to learn more about the impact of energy to the Air Force's mission.

This year's theme, "Mission Assurance through Energy Assurance," puts the Airman at the center of the campaign.

The goal is to inspire the total force to be more efficient so they can give the Air Force an assured energy advantage in air, space and cyberspace.

Col. John Devillier, 88th Air Base Wing commander, continues to ask Wright-Patterson Air Force Base employees to join him in pursuing frugality and responsible stewardship of the nation's resources.

The members of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's 88th Civil Engineer Group want every Airman, civilian and contractor to treat their office/professional work environment as they do their home, and reduce energy consumption to the best of their abilities. Team Wright-Patt's cooperation has the potential to save thousands of dollars.

The base's energy optimization experts have planned a series of activities for the month of special observance, including:

· Expansive energy fair Oct. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. next to the parking lot of the Tennis Club, Bldg. 90, Area A, with booths, multiple vendors and hundreds of servings of free frozen custard. A special and significant rebate announcement is scheduled for 1 p.m. during the fair by the Dayton Power and Light Co. The base community is encouraged to attend.

· Weekly energy fairs from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations:
Oct. 7 - Base Exchange, Area A
Oct. 14 - Bld. 16 Food Court, Area B
Oct. 21 - Lobby in front of Kenney Hall, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Bldg. 640, Area B
Oct. 28 - Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) Food Court, Bldg. 252, Area A

· Energy reduction competition among 10 of the largest energy-consuming organizations at Wright-Patterson AFB. CE will randomly monitor a single building from each organization during the month, and the largest energy saver will claim bragging rights at the end of the month.

The organizations are:
88 Civil Engineering Group
88th Communications Group
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center
711th Human Performance Wing, U.S. School of Aerospace Medicine
445th Airlift Wing
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Air Force Institute of Technology
Air Force Research Laboratory
National Air and Space Intelligence Center
88th Mission Support Group
88th Medical Group

· UnPlug It Campaign - Unplug devices that won't be used over the weekend or leave, or connect them to a device that shuts off power automatically.

Kevin Osborn, energy manager, Engineering Division, 88 ABW Civil Engineer Directorate, wants people to be aware of "vampire" power - electricity many gadgets and appliances waste just by being plugged in, even if they're switched off.

Even devices that have a power-save function should be unplugged, as the device may be older and not save as much as new devices' functions would.

Here is a list of some of the equipment that may be unplugged: coffee pots; message monitors; printers/scanners; authorized space heaters; radios; desk lamps/task lighting; shredders; fax machines; microwaves; monitors/speakers; and projectors.
Items that should remain plugged in include computers - CPU's, laptops, servers, network switches, etc.

Participating in this initiative has the potential to save about 60 hours of energy per weekend per employee, Osborn said.

Energy Action Month has a 25-year history. It began in 1990 when President George H.W. Bush declared October Energy Awareness Month. In 2011, President Barack Obama declared October Energy Action Month. The change in names is to spur all Americans to not only be aware of energy conservation, but to take action on conserving energy.