Team Buckley recognizes Energy Action Month

  • Published
  • By Airman Emily E. Amyotte
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
Every October, Team Buckley recognizes Energy Action Month.

Energy Action Month is a national campaign highlighting possible energy-saving actions and the effect those actions have on the environment and the Air Force mission. This year's theme "I am Air Force Energy," illustrates the role Airmen play in saving energy.

Team Buckley members have a goal to transition into a greener base. To do this, service members must take a look at the amount of energy they use as well as finding ways to reduce that amount.

Not only is Team Buckley looking for new ways to save energy, the entire Air Force is always looking for new energy conservation solutions and ideas.

"The Department of Defense mandated energy production goals," said 2nd Lt. Gary Adams, 460th Civil Engineer Squadron portfolio optimization chief. "They have a baseline of how we're supposed to reduce energy - We're supposed to reduce our energy use by three percent every year. And our baseline for water reduction is a reduction of 30 percent by the year 2020. We're already above both of those goals."

Despite the fact that Buckley has already met the goals for 2014, the CES is still working to further the savings.

The squadron has worked to replace all street light and parking lot light bulbs to LED bulbs. The estimated completion date is fiscal year 2015. Base wide, every light that has transitioned to LED uses only 50 percent of the energy that a normal incandescent light bulb used.

Buckley is also using Xeriscaping, commonly referred to as "zero-scaping," a landscaping element that reduces the need for supplemental water from irrigation.

"The zero-scaping is really great," Adams said. "Energy is relatively cheap in Colorado. But the water, especially in Aurora, is very expensive. So everything we can do to save water will save us money. We started the zero-scaping in 2013 and we're still continuing it today."

Besides improving the environment, saving energy also saves money, allowing for funds to be spent in superior ways.

"Our energy savings help free up money for other things," said 2nd Lt. Matthew Klepaki, 460th CES chief of program development. "It takes the stress off of our resources"

For more information, visit the Air Force Energy Office website.