Energy action is a year-round effort

  • Published
  • By Karen Bastian
  • Hill AFB Energy Management

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- A government energy campaign focused on energy awareness has been recognized since 1991.

Now, 28 years later, the campaign isn’t just about being aware. Instead, it’s about action and doing so the name has been changed Energy Action Month.

Traditionally held during October, the month encourages people in government, businesses, and at home to be actively engaged in energy conservation, sustainment, and resiliency efforts.

The Air Force energy theme for 2019: "Energy Able – Mission Capable” highlighting how energy is the catalyst of making things happen.

It was a busy year for Hill Air Force Base in 2019, as major resiliency projects under an energy savings performance contract wrapped up. A solar array was completed adding 3.55 MW of power to the base’s electric grid. Other projects have included installation of LED lighting, steam pipe insulation and other infrastructure improvements.

In addition, the Hill AFB Energy Management Team recently had a special opportunity to visit with West Weber Elementary 6th grade to announce the Hill AFB Energy Action Month Art Contest.

The students were asked to design a futuristic energy system and include a detailed written description of how their systems would operate. All of the students put in a lot of time, thought and effort into their drawings.

The following students were selected as the winners: 1st place, Timothy Kirschman; 2nd place, Jonas Horton; 3rd place, Ellie Jensen; and runner up, Tayrna Davis.

As 2019 comes to a close, base personnel are encouraged to see energy action as more than a month-long effort.

Whether championing projects that optimize aviation fuel use, or encouraging Airmen to make smart energy decisions at individual installations, the goal is to foster a culture that prioritizes energy optimization and water management year-round.

For more information about ongoing energy projects and energy action events at Hill AFB, follow Conserve Watts” on Facebook and @HillAFBNRG on Twitter.

(75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs contributed to this article.)