Malmstrom group strives to reduce energy costs on daily basis

Published Oct. 28, 2011
By Valerie Mullett
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Kent Seaton has been the base energy manager here since 1995 - a job that he is passionate about. In his daily undertakings of overseeing energy reduction efforts, there is a team of people to help achieve goals.

George Georgalis works directly with Seaton as the resource efficiency manager. The two spearhead the base program for the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron to reduce facility energy use. But they receive a huge assist from a forward- thinking airman in the 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron. Efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption by vehicles is lead by Staff Sgt. Jared Bratsberg, the fossil fuels reduction monitor.

Rounding out the efforts of these three energy-conscious leaders is the Organizational Efficiency Working Group, which is led by Capt. Robert Heyward and consists of an energy representative in each of the five groups, plus the 819th RED HORSE Squadron. Their main function is to help improve organizational efficiencies in an effort to save energy - ultimately reducing costs and cutting Malmstrom's overall "carbon footprint," according to Heyward.

Education is a key component in the goals of all of these energy conservation warriors.

"If each person would obtain a true consciousness at work and at home, we could see huge savings," Seaton said. "Our combined efforts add up and each little [energy saving] act contributes to a significant amount each year."

Georgalis has a few tips that everyone can use to help in the reduction efforts.

"Check those unused office spaces and reduce the heat/air conditioning settings, depending on what time of the year it is," he said. "And turn off equipment and appliances when they aren't being used."

Another quick and easy tip is to hit the light switch on your way out the door if you'll be away for an extended period of time.

"These are such simple steps to follow that do contribute to the bottom line savings," Seaton stressed. "My goal is to continue the trend of energy conservation through the energy awareness program and to get more energy projects approved for the base."

To achieve that goal, he relies on the assistance Bratsberg provides in the fuel reduction department.

"Last quarter, we conducted an E-85 awareness campaign which included placing identification stickers in compatible vehicles," he said. "E-85 is a bio fuel which burns 70 to 85 percent less fossil fuel than standard gasoline. After the campaign, we experienced the highest E-85 utilization in three years with an increase of 39 percent."

Other initiatives in progress include the installation of a ground source heat pump at dormitory 740 that Seaton says will be evaluated for its performance over the next heating and cooling seasons. There are also projects being looked at to reduce energy dependence on foreign sources via solar, wind and energy-efficient avenues.

In celebration of October being Energy Conservation Month, everyone is asked to help Malmstrom achieve and exceed its energy reduction goals.