FEMP Year in Review 2003 - EERE - U.S. Department of Energy

18
U.S. Department of Defense
Department of the Army
7th Infantry Division at Fort Carson
“Outreach”
In FY 2002, Fort Carson’s energy use per square foot was 25 percent less than the base
year of FY 1985. Compared to the previous year, the Fort avoided costs of more than
$2.3 million on its utility bills for electricity, natural gas, and water.
Fort Carson achieved this success with a comprehensive energy program based on
“top down” Command emphasis of energy awareness and forward-thinking project
implementation. Fort Carson’s Commanding General personally set the objectives of
the annual Command Energy Policy, which were published in the post newspaper,
The Mountaineer. To address severe drought conditions, the Commanding General
signed water restrictions policy that matched the local Colorado Springs Utilities
watering program for the summer of 2002 reducing water use by 10 percent compared
to the previous year. The entire installation also embarked on establishment of a
sustainability program in FY 2002. Nearly 250 persons from Fort Carson, the local
community, the state government, and other interested parties participated in a threeday
conference to establish 25-year sustainability goals for Fort Carson. Twelve long
term goals were established which included goals for increased renewable energy use,
increased energy efficiency, and significant water usage reductions. Fort Carson’s
Super Peak program, which helped garner savings through electrical reductions in
certain peak use periods, used e-mails and phone calls to make the entire base aware
of “super peak” periods for shedding electricity use. This program saved approximately
$50,000 during FY 2002. Outreach efforts extended beyond the base, as articles on
Fort Carson’s efforts were shared with the Army Environmental Center and the
Army Corps of Engineers’ Public Works Digest. Other outreach activities at Fort
Carson include:
• Energy and water conservation training modules for quarterly Environmental
Protection Officer classes,
• “Energy Tips of the Week” distributed to Commanders, Directors, and Building
Energy Managers, and
• Energy and water conservation brochures sent to family housing occupants to
spread the conservation message base-wide.
Department of the Army, 7th Infantry Division at Fort Carson team members (l to r):
Geoffrey Prosch, COL Michael Resty, Jr., Clay Johnson, Scott Clark