Conserving energy at March

  • Published
  • By Megan Just
  • 452 AMW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  Here at March, reducing the amount of energy the base uses is an ongoing concern. Federal energy mandates require the base to lower energy use by three percent each year. Monitoring that requirement is Base Energy Manager Jack Porter, Jr., 452nd Civil Engineering Squadron. Porter, an Association of Energy Engineers Certified Energy Manager, understands the vital need for energy conservation here, and across the Defense Department.

"We're talking about the future; to be able to be self-sustaining and not so reliant on fossil fuels," he said. "All energy is produced through fossil fuels and because the Defense Department is the biggest user of energy in federal government, it is very important that we as a federal government agency become role models for the private sector. We want to lead by example."

The 452nd Civil Engineering Squadron recently gained Congressional approval for an energy conservation design-build project that will analyze and renovate the lighting and the heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems in 13 buildings on base. Design has already begun on the project, which is based on the findings of the 2005 Energy Audit.

In July, SSI (the base operation support contractor) received two Ford Fusion hybrid cars for the base motor pool.

"Customers have given us good feedback about the hybrids," said Frank Perry, SSI transportation dispatcher. "The cars are very quiet and comfortable to drive and they don't require refueling as often."

In July 2008, the 452nd Mission Support Group environmental office Engineering Environmental Squadron purchased a solar powered golf cart. At the time, the cart was approximately $1,000 more than its plug-in counterpart, but, according to cost estimates released by the cart's manufacturer, Cruise Cars, Inc., the utility bill reduction and the cart's increased battery life could save $235 annually. The office hoped the cart would prove the savings over the life of the cart and spark interest around base to order solar powered carts.

Also being powered by the sun are Buildings 2246 and 2245. The 41,021 square feet of solar panels atop carports behind the buildings contain 2,338 solar modules with a power capacity of 487 peak kilowatts.

Since the system was put into operation in 2006, the base has produced 2.26 gigawatt hours, which is enough energy to power approximately 189 homes for 10 years. Porter said. This also translates to 1,198 tons of Carbon Dioxide reduced or 2,503,793 miles not driven in a vehicle.

Literally reducing the amount of miles driven in vehicles is the March Air Reserve Base ridesharing program, which helps hundreds of Team March members lower their personal fossil fuel use while commuting to and from work. In just five years, the program has grown to 23 vanpools and 360 carpoolers, said Paul Pitman, rideshare coordinator.

In the spirit of the Air Force's energy conservation month, Porter encourages Team March members to share with him their ideas for energy conservation on base.
"For energy conservation to work, everyone has to do their part and one person can make a difference," he said.