VIEWPOINT: Commander urges energy action to save money Published Oct. 15, 2013 By Col. Dan Wright 460th Space Wing Commander BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- October is Energy Action Month. Through the ongoing fiscal issues felt in fiscal year 2013 and continued budgetary reductions expected in fiscal year 2014, we must take a heightened awareness to our energy usage. Electricity is the "jet fuel" for many of our operational needs here at Buckley. Just as the flying mission has found ways to reduce fuel consumption, we too have a great opportunity for success because every one of us can aid in reducing energy. I want to thank everyone for their efforts so far. The base is exceeding federal energy reduction requirements with a 35 percent reduction in energy intensity since fiscal year 2003 and a 36 percent reduction in water intensity since fiscal year 2007. But we cannot stop there! The installation is responsible for $9 million annually in electricity, along with $1 million in both natural gas and water. Each of us is a sensor for success in reducing these costs. The basics of turning off lights when leaving rooms, disconnecting unnecessary plugs and turning off our monitors and printers at the end of the duty day are already happening. I now ask everyone to make energy a consideration in every action we do. Eliminating redundancy, cutting waste and removing excess will make a difference -- no matter how small. Be vigilant for many energy-wasters, such as leaking water fixtures, broken sprinkler heads or street lights left on during the day. Conserving our resources today ensures their availability for the mission tomorrow. The Air Force Energy Action Month theme this year is "I Am Air Force Energy." If everyone takes this to heart and makes one small change, we will see a big difference and continue exceeding goals and expectations set before us. For more information, stay tuned to our local news sites or for more tips and articles read more here: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/services/energy_aware_oec.html http://www.safie.hq.af.mil/energy/index.asp If you have any energy-related questions, concerns or ideas, please contact the 460th Space Wing energy manager at 720-847-9189.