Barksdale Air Force Base, La. -- Managing energy consumption and conserving natural resources continues to be a priority for the U.S. Air Force.

Currently, Barksdale uses approximately $5 million in electric energy and approximately $2 million in natural gas energy annually.

According to John McLaughlin, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron base energy manager, Barksdale's energy intensity is currently the lowest in Air Force Global Strike Command.

"Our intensity is the lowest in the command, but we aren't saving as much as everyone else because our energy intensity is already so low, we don't have much to save on," he said.

The money Barksdale saves on energy conservation is routinely funneled back into the base to enable the mission and improve the quality of the facilities.

"Energy conservation is an easy and smart way to conserve costs, so we can spend it in other areas where we really need it," said Larry Stevens, 2 CES resource efficiency manager.

Barksdale's energy conservation plan is a three-tiered system aimed at long-term energy saving goals. The tiers involve improving infrastructures the base already has and energy-saving measures to implement in future infrastructures and current construction.

"We are trying to replace our older technology in our historic buildings with newer technology that is more energy efficient," said Mr. Stevens. "We are working on installing more energy efficient hot water heaters, boilers and lighting. We have projects in commercial buildings, dorms, hangars and maintenance buildings all across the base to reduce the energy intensity further."

Further examples of these updates include installing occupancy sensors in bathrooms so the lights will automatically turn off when the room is empty. The 2 CES is also in the process of hooking buildings up to the Energy Management Control System, which will regulate temperature in offices from a central control point.

According to David Sanders, 2 CES asset optimization executive chief, these improvements can only go so far in conserving energy.

"We've utilized technology just about as far as we can here," he added. "I think our biggest stride for energy conservation can be made by changing the culture of the people. There are a lot more opportunities there than you think, when you get someone to turn a light off, I think that can really go a long way."

Mr. McLaughlin says when it comes to changing a culture and changing the way people conserve energy, Airmen who advocate for the cause may feel alone when they attempt to change the culture in their offices and even in their own homes.

"My advice to those individuals is to keep talking about it, keep doing what you are doing to conserve energy. If they make the information available at every angle people are eventually going to turn off that light when they leave the room," Mr. McLaughlin said. "They do it because they want to or they'll do it because they don't want to hear about it anymore. They shouldn't feel like they are alone - it is the right thing to do and hopefully they can find one or two more people to help them with it."

Mr. McLaughlin hopes that 2 CES can utilize social media to help change the culture.

"My pet project right now is trying to get an energy awareness program started," he said. "There are so many outlets for all this information and it is so easily accessible that Airmen and civilians will have the information at their fingertips - there is no way that someone can't help but stumble across it."

Some of the information one might find on such resources might include energy-saving tips to practice in their home. Airmen would be encouraged to turn off and unplug lights and electronics when they are not in use. Set air-conditioning units at a higher temperature while out of the house in the middle of the day. Purchase energy efficient appliances and compact florescent light bulbs. Set water heaters lower while out of town and make energy-efficient home improvements.

Mr. McLaughlin encourages home owners to be conservative despite energy-saving purchases.

"You can buy the most energy efficient air conditioner in the world, but if you leave it on full-blast, it's still using energy," he explained. "You can save much more energy just by turning off a light switch when you leave a room than by buying energy-saving lighting. It's all about having the presence of mind to not be wasteful."

Betty Thomas, The Landings at Barksdale maintenance supervisor, agrees. The Landings at Barksdale help residents "go green" by making the homes more energy efficient; however, Mrs. Thomas said residents can certainly do more to conserve energy.

"We use energy saver florescent light bulbs, dual pane windows, programmable digital thermostats and Energy Star appliances in many of the homes," she said. "A lot of energy conservation is really in the hands of the residents, to use CLF bulbs, program their thermostats and turn-off and unplug their electronics."

Mr. McLaughlin stresses the use of these energy-saving techniques not only at home, but in base work centers as well.

"Taking care of energy at your home is a very personal thing, because it comes down to saving money - it's a little less personal to take care of energy here on base," he said. "If you have the habit of conserving energy at home, it'll carry over to work. If you just take the time to think, 'I can save energy to save money.'"

In the end, it is up to each individual to find their own motivation to conserve. Mr. Stevens knows without a doubt what his motivation is.

"We are running out of resources," he concluded. "If we don't conserve some of our resources it's just going to be extraordinarily hard for our children and our grandchildren to live. To me, that is an incentive not to be wasteful."