Altus Air Force Base News

 

Altus AFB celebrates Energy Action Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Klynne Pearl Serrano
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  "During National Energy Awareness Month, we recognize the contributions of individuals, organizations, and companies that are committed to advancing energy innovation and efficiency, and we promote the importance of a clean energy economy to our nation," said President Barack Obama in a proclamation signed October 2009 for National Energy Awareness Month.

President Obama signed a similar proclamation in 2012, re-commissioning October as National Energy Action Month.

1st Lt. Lauren Sahagun, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron energy manager, organized various activities on base to celebrate Energy Action Month.

"This year we are trying to infiltrate each base family from both the adults and the kids," Sahagun said. "We hosted an Energy Action Month 5k and 10k run at the base fitness center, taught children about robots and control surfaces in honor of National 4H Science Day at the base Youth Center, and read an energy-related story to children at the base library."

Aside from the activities, Sahagun also developed energy-related projects for fiscal year 2014.

"We are looking to upgrade building heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, paint buildings with an insulating paint developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, replace parking lot lights with light-emitting diode lights, improve our facilities' envelops by sealing leaking windows, doors, and roofs as well as installing solar film on windows and solar insulating paint on roofs," Sahagun said.

Sahagun explains how everyone can help make a difference by conserving energy.

"You can help us achieve our goals when you turn off your computer monitor at the end of the day or when it is not in use for more that 20 minutes so it can properly enter energy-saving sleep mode," Sahagun said. "Reduce idling in vehicles. Thirty minutes of idling burns through one gallon of gas."

This year's Energy Action Month theme is "I am Air Force Energy".

"Looking at the job you do everyday--each individual can personally impact the Air Force energy vision," Sahagun said. "Keep evaluating how you use energy and finds ways to do it smarter."

"We all have a role to play in ensuring energy security and achieving our mission," Sahagun said "In 2012, the Air Force spent $10 billion on fuel and electricity--more than twice what we spent ten years ago. Fuel and electricity now make up almost ten percent of the Air Force's budget and every dollar we don't spend on energy allows us to invest that dollar into you, your family and your mission."