JBSA- Randolph Chapel - San Antonio News

MARCH 16, 2012 WINGSPREAD
PAGE 7
JBSA-Randolph advances 'green' initiative with new vehicles
By Alex Salinas
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph is
answering the call to consume less energy
with the addition of new fuel-efficient
vehicles to the base motor pool.
Dennis Bazzel, 902nd Logistics
Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance
manager, said JBSA-Randolph
received three new Ford Fusion hybrids,
purchased by the Air Force, and
that 20 more are expected to arrive on
base by late summer.
“This is an Air Force-wide effort to
push for using alternative fuel,” Bazzel
said. “Hybrids use less fuel and will
be environmentally friendly, especially
on a low-speed driving base like Randolph
because the cars will use more
battery power. All of the Air Education
and Training Command bases will be
receiving Ford Fusion hybrids.”
In addition to fuel efficiency, the new
vehicles will have lower carbon dioxide
emissions, which will enhance the Air
Force's commitment to 'green' initiatives.
Carbon dioxide pollution is still
rampant in the United States with an
annual carbon output of 20 tons per
person. That’s 16 tons more than the
world average, according to the United
Nations Environment program.
Another major pollutant tracked by
the Environmental Protection Agency
is ground-level ozone.
There is a direct relationship between
temperature and concentrations
of ground-level ozone. As temperatures
increase, primarily from
the amount of carbon dioxide vehicles
emit, ground-level ozone increases,
creating smog.
Kerry Williston, 902nd Civil Engineer
Squadron air quality program
manager, said this can greatly damage
our overall health.
The reduction of air pollution should
be everyone’s concern, Williston said.
“We (San Antonio) are close to reaching
a nonattainment level during ozone
season, which means the city is at risk
to breathe in sub-par levels of air quality
from May to December,” she said.
These months are especially pertinent
to Texas because of perpetually dry climates
and high temperatures that create
the perfect storm for air pollutants to
stagnate into the atmosphere.
In fact, the northwest region of San
Antonio registered nine days during
summer 2011 on the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality’s monitor
where the city exceeded the eight-hour
ozone average. These days occurred
from May to October. The air quality
during those days was unhealthy for
sensitive groups, such as children and
people with heart and lung disease.
“Younger children with developing
lungs and elderly people with depressed
immune systems are also the
most affected by poor air quality,” Williston
said. “With poor air quality, they
have to limit their time outdoors.”
Because of summnertime outdoor
activities and vacation travel, Williston
placed a heavy emphasis on drivers to
improve their fuel efficiency, reduce
their carbon dioxide emissions and
improve air quality.
According to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, the average American
drives 13,476 miles per year. There
are a variety of ways to help slash
that average.
“It’s not so much what type of vehicle
you drive, even though that is important
regarding your fuel efficiency, but it’s how
you drive your vehicle,” Williston said.
“Combine as many errands as possible
into one trip. Several short trips taken
from a cold start can use twice as much
fuel as longer, multipurpose trips.
“Taking advantage of carpools, rideshare
programs and public transportation
can cut your weekly fuel costs in half
and save wear on your car if you take
turns driving with other commuters.”
Also, avoiding long idles when your
engine is on and avoiding high speeds
should be on every driver’s mind. Depending
on your vehicle, taking these
measures can save up to 3 cents and
24-80 cents per minute on the road respectively,
Williston said.
Keeping your tires properly aligned
and inflated, avoiding carrying unnecessary
items in your trunk, reducing
the use of air conditioning and getting
regular engine tune-ups are also
Photo by Rich McFadden
Dennis Bazzel, 902nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance manager, stands
with one of three new Ford Fusion hybrid vehicles received by transportation on Joint Base
San Antonio-Randolph Monday.
great fuel economy benefits that can
save you money.
“Try not to drive during rush hour if
possible, and fill up your gas tank after
6 p.m., when the heat waves begin to
dissipate,” especially in the summertime
during ozone season, Williston said.
Driving less equates to a lower carbon
footprint, which decreases groundlevel
ozone and can help improve overall
quality of life.
Katy Breyer, 902nd Civil Engineer
Squadron Environmental section chief,
said that you can learn more about
what you can do to reduce your environmental
footprint during the Earth
Day celebrations at the end of April.
Check out the fuel economy your vehicle
at www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.
shtml, or see what your carbon footprint
is at www.carbonfootprint.com.
NUTRITION from P3
Sides said an online tool she recommends is
www.myfitnesspal.com. A website that promotes
good eating habits and weight loss, myfitnesspal.
com provides members with the ability to track
what they eat, a database of more than 1.5 million
food items that lists information such as calories
and fat grams, a personalized diet profile and discussion
forums.
“It’s all about accountability and awareness of
what you’re taking in,” she said. “People don’t realize
how much they’re eating, so it’s a very good
awareness tool.”
Sides said the traditional American meal is “a
large portion of meat, something starchy like potatoes,
then a little bit of vegetables,” so the theme
“Get Your Plate in Shape” is an admonition to consumers
to rearrange their mealtime priorities.
“It’s reshaping your plate,” she said. “It helps you
put in perspective how much you’re eating – it’s
moderation and portion control.”
Sides said people should also be aware of the
drinks they consume – because sugar- and calorieladen
drinks can pack on the pounds and lead to
health issues.
A nutrition education and information campaign
created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,
National Nutrition Month was initiated in March
1973 as a week-long event before it became a monthlong
observance seven years later. The academy’s
year-long mission is to promote optimal nutrition
and well-being for all people.