355th CES promotes energy awareness on 40th annual Earth Day

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Sarah D. Godfrey
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 355th Civil Engineer Squadron joined the global community in promoting environmental conservation and renewable energy here April 22 in observance of the 40th annual Earth Day.

The 355th CES bolstered the effort with a display at the base exchange, where informational packets and story boards provided an in-depth look at past, present and future energy conservation efforts being made at Davis-Monthan.

D-M has made several energy conservation achievements with solar hot water pre-heaters at the pool and the solar farm in base housing. But the base is continuing to make energy efficiency and renewable energy top priorities with plans for boiler replacements and a new solar array to help power the base.

"(Energy efficiency) is important for several reasons. One, it is mandated by Congress that we reduce our usage by two percent per year and they are only going to fund us 98 percent of last year's utilities. So basically if we don't reduce our consumption we are footing the bill," said 2nd Lt. Michael Ryan, the Base Energy/Utilities Manager, 355th CES. "Also it is just environmentally responsible. We have limited resources and we need to use them responsibly."

Greg Noble, D-M's Resource Efficiency Manager, 355th CES, stated that water conservation, energy intensity, and renewable energy are main goals for the next 10 to 20 years. If these goals are met, D-M could be self sufficient in energy consumption, said Noble.

"D-M has a number of innovative programs and there will be significant advances over the next year or two," Mr. Noble said. "Large projects like the solar farm will be incorporated on the base side (and) will make a significant impact on Davis-Monthan's use of energy, natural gas and water."

Lieutenant Ryan also provided information packets for D-M member to take part in energy conservation on their own.

The lieutenant said, "Just be energy aware, know your impact, how you can reduce it. There are a lot of resources out there that can tell you how to use less energy."

Lieutenant Ryan said the next time the 355th CES will host a public information display will be in October during Energy Awareness Month, but for today he wished the D-M community, "Happy Earth Day!"

For more information on ways you can do your part to conserve resources, click here.