Energy initiatives under way at Malmstrom Published April 28, 2011 By Airman Cortney Hansen 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The strategic deterrent mission Airmen support every day on this Air Force Global Strike Command base revolves highly around vehicles and the fuel it takes to power them. In order to support the Air Force's overall goal to increase supply, reduce demand and change the culture, Malmstrom has taken several steps towards improving the efficiency of both of these resources. "Our mission directly runs off of fuel and without fuel the whole thing stops; it's not just our base - bases with aircraft need fuel to power them, too," said Staff Sgt. Jared Bratsberg, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management and analysis. "Over the last six months, we have pumped 316,674 gallons of fuel and traveled 3,831,353 miles indicating that we average 12 miles per gallon as a wing. This number is not entirely accurate as it does not account for assets using fuel which is tracked by hours; for example forklifts, fire trucks, sweepers, refuelers, etc." The most prominent change that can be seen throughout the vehicle community is the reduction in use of fossil fuel. Fossil fuel is a nonrenewable resource and also, when burned, releases an excessive amount of carbon dioxide into the environment. "We have a challenge here because we have to reduce our fuel consumption by a certain amount however our miles don't change - our [Missile Alert Facilities] don't get closer - because we decided to reduce fuel," Sergeant Bratsberg said. "One of the ways we reduced fuel consumption was by switching all of the pumps on base from motor gas, which was straight fossil fuel." E-85 fuel pumps were also installed for the growing number of E-85 compatible vehicles on base, he said. E-85 contains only 15 percent fossil fuel. Another fuel improvement is for diesel-powered engines. A large number of diesel vehicles can run on biodiesel fuel, which is made of 20 percent soy oil. "During the summer months, diesel pumps are switched over to biodiesel," Sergeant Bratsberg said. "Due to temperature requirements, we have to go back to standard diesel in the winter months because biodiesel will gel and won't make it through the fuel system." Along with fuel sources, Malmstrom vehicles are becoming more and more efficient as well. "There are two factors in how much fuel you use: how far you travel and how you do it. We're trying to change how we do it," Sergeant Bratsberg said. Old assets around base are replaced with more fuel efficient assets, like electric or E-85-powered vehicles, if possible. Of the 786 government vehicles on base, 103 are compatible with E-85 fuel and 14 are electric hybrid vehicles. When a vehicle cannot be replaced with an electric hybrid or E-85 compatible vehicle, they can be replaced with low-speed vehicles. A low-speed vehicle is small and compact like an electric hybrid, but runs on fuel and receives high gas mileage. "The electric car has a maximum speed of 25 mph, a range of travel of 40 miles and it takes 8 hours to recharge," said Kent Seaton, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron energy manager. "With the present cost of electricity that Malmstrom pays, it costs us about 50 cents in electricity to charge it back up, so it's very economical." The technology of electric hybrid vehicles only allows them to be used for simple tasks like escorting personnel and transporting light loads around base, but they still save the base hundreds of dollars. For example; two electric hybrid cars traveling 1,400 miles would cost $24 total, whereas, one gas-powered, low-speed vehicle traveling 1,400 miles at 30 miles to the gallon with present day fuel costs would cost approximately $180. "Awareness is our biggest tool because our mission isn't going to change; we're still going to drive over a million miles every year," Sergeant Bratsberg said. "I would encourage people to re-evaluate. People should treat the vehicles and the fuel like they're paying for it with their wallets."