Whiteman charges toward energy conservation goals Published April 28, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- One of the Air Force's ongoing concerns remains reducing the demand, increasing the supply and changing the culture behind energy management. Currently the largest energy user in the Department of Defense, the Air Force is attempting to reduce its energy consumption dramatically by 2015. In support of these changes, Air Force Global Strike Command bases are focused on lowering energy consumption, increasing energy supply and educating base personnel on being an energy-conservative community. Whiteman has a specific goal of decreasing energy consumption by 30 percent from a baseline established in fiscal year 2003. "We have a quarterly energy management steering group meeting with senior commanders on base to discuss the major projects in process on base and how we are doing compared to goals that have been set by the Air Force," said Mike Reinhardt, Whiteman resource efficiency manager. He added, "The reports are graphed out and if we aren't achieving desired rates, we figure out why and what we are doing to fix it." Mr. Reinhardt said the group wanted to start at the highest levels, so the importance of energy management can be recognized across the wing and moved down the chains of command. To reduce energy demand, Whiteman has upgraded or replaced old style light fixtures, exchanged high voltage bulbs with energy conserving bulbs, completed energy improvements on the steam plant and planned for much more. More than $20 million worth of projects are in different planning stages and an equivalent dollar amount of additional projects are waiting on funding, according to Mr. Reinhardt. "We are looking at boiler systems, lighting systems, installation-rejuvenations and heating demands all as part of the pillar of reducing demand," Mr. Reinhardt said. According to Andrea Goodson, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of asset optimization, 60 percent of energy is used on heating and cooling ventilation, 20 percent for lighting and 20 percent for all other plug sources. Meters are being added to base housing to keep track of energy consumption. "People living in base housing and in the dormitories are both briefed upon arrival to save energy," Mrs. Goodson said. "They are told what the recommended temperatures to keep their house during winter and summer months are and to set the temperature accordingly when not occupied for a period of time." Increasing energy supply is difficult at Whiteman with the area lacking an environment where solar or wind based renewable energy can thrive. According to Mr. Reinhardt, Whiteman does have renewable energy though multiple ground source heat pumps, in which more are in the process of being built. "We're doing a great job in analyzing opportunities and developing projects to improve energy savings," Mr. Reinhardt added. While Whiteman follows the three pillars of the Air Force's Energy Plan, the growth of the base and size of mission makes cutting 30 percent of energy use by 2015 a possible, but difficult-task. "The largest challenge is our population here is growing and we are being measured on energy usage per square foot, or energy intensity," said Mrs. Goodson. "It will be difficult to meet future goals with constant progression on bas, but that doesn't stop us from trying."