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May 7, 2013
The U.S. Air Force is the largest consumer of energy in the federal government. In 2012, the Air Force spent over $9 billion on energy – over 85 percent of which on aviation fuel. “That of course means that even moderate improvements in our conservation, in our efficiency, can drive very large dollar savings that can enable us to invest in other vitally needed capabilities,” says Dr. Jamie Morin, acting under secretary of the Air Force. The Air Force has actively pursued a new energy strategy to reduce energy use that has led to substantial financial savings. In 2012, the Air Force reduced facility and aviation energy costs by $1.5 billion compared to its baseline years.
The new energy strategy includes the following priorities: improve resiliency, reduce demand, assure supply, and foster an energy aware culture. To support the new priorities, the Air Force is working with private industry to develop renewable energy projects and reduce energy consumption, making adjustments to flight operations to save fuel, and promoting energy awareness. “The robust, resilient, and ready energy posture that we're working to develop is about enabling the Air Force to be operationally effective; it's about enhancing national security; it's about getting better value out of every taxpayer dollar,” Morin said. “We are not, and will not, accept the notion that one has to choose between energy efficiency and mission accomplishment. What I think we've demonstrated over the last several years, and will continue to demonstrate, is that those can be complimentary and mutually reinforcing goals.”
In 2006, the Air Force set a goal to reduce its consumption of aviation fuel 10 percent by 2015. “We have exceeded that goal three years ahead of schedule and we've done so through the combination of activities - a combination of investments, policy initiatives, and, in total – what we've been able to do is reduce our total consumption by more than 12 percent,” Morin said. Energy reductions do not stop at aviation fuel reduction. Since 2003, the Air Force has reduced facility energy intensity by more than 21 percent, while increasing the use of renewable energy. It is also on track to meet a 37.5 percent total reduction of energy intensity by 2020. Last year, 5.5 percent of electricity produced for the Air Force came from renewable energy. The Air Force maintains a long-term goal to increase renewable energy use to 25 percent by 2025.
Author: Ana Valenzuela
Sources
Top-Rated Climate Nonprofit – 4-Star Charity