Hill joins Rocky Mountain Power in green efforts

  • Published
  • By Barbara Fisher
  • 75 ABW Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  For years, Hill AFB has been cutting its energy use wherever possible and seeking out other innovative ways to go green. The base's latest initiative includes partnering with Rocky Mountain Power to take advantage of renewable energy, including that from a centuries-old technology -- windmills.

In a ceremony here today, Maj. Gen. Kathleen D. Close, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander, and Mr. Richard Walje, president of Rocky Mountain Power, recognized Hill's participation in the power company's Blue Sky program. Under Blue Sky, the base contributes to Rocky Mountain Power's renewable energy efforts by purchasing certificates for green (renewable) energy sources, such as wind power from windmills. 

"We want to be smart with our energy dollars," General Close said. "We have taken steps over the last several years to reduce where we can, and we have found innovative ways to do even more. 

"Supporting the Blue Sky program and clean sources of electricity is sound business and an important choice we can make in preserving our national resources for future generations," she said. "We hope our participation inspires others to commit to using renewable energy resources." 

Hill is one of three federal agencies in Utah participating in the program and is currently the largest Blue Sky participant in the Rocky Mountain Power service region in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. The Blue Sky program provides Rocky Mountain Power customers a way to support renewable energy from newly developed facilities in the western United States. 

Hill is supporting 750,000 kilowatt-hours of Blue Sky renewable energy each month. Over a year's time, Hill's renewable energy purchase will avoid 9,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, creating annual environmental benefits equivalent to driving 19.2 million fewer miles or planting 3,535 acres of trees. 

"We are pleased to be able to recognize Hill Air Force Base for its commitment to the environment and its efforts to help create a more sustainable energy future," Mr. Walje said. "Out of more than 27,000 Rocky Mountain Power customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho who participate in the Blue Sky program, Hill Air Force Base is currently at the top of the list for the amount of renewable energy it supports each month." 

As the largest on-site employer in Utah with more than 20,000 people working at Hill and one of only three aircraft maintenance depots in the U.S. Air Force, Hill's monthly electrical bill is several hundred thousand dollars. David Abbott, Hill AFB utility manager, said everything from lighting to thermostats is watched. 

"We have changed to more energy-efficient lighting in our maintenance hangars and other facilities and have participated in the Utah State Power Forward Alert program for the last six years," Mr. Abbott said. "During peak energy use periods during the summer or winter months, we alert base employees, by pop-up announcements on their computers, to take extra energy conservation measures. We do any small thing we can to cut energy use." 

Hill has also sought out innovative, less conventional, approaches to energy management. For several years, the base has purchased steam heat from the Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District in Layton. This steam is produced by burning garbage from local municipalities. 

In 2005, the base constructed a facility that converts naturally occurring landfill gas into megawatts of electricity. This facility produces 2.3 megawatts of electricity to meet a little more than 1 percent of the base's electrical consumption.

In the fall, Hill plans to begin a project to install ground-based solar panels that will provide additional renewable energy for the base. 

"We are doing everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint at Hill," Mr. Abbott said. "We also have a presidential mandate to have 5 percent of our energy come from renewable sources by 2012. This agreement with Rocky Mountain Power helps us meet that goal ahead of schedule."