Providing a Cost Conscious Culture

Published May 3, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Jimmie D. Pike
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Team XL was once again recognized by Air Education and Training Command for reducing the use of energy and water on base for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Laughlin was awarded its third consecutive Water and Energy Intensity Reduction award since the program began in 2009.

"The award consists of a $250,000 cash reward," said David Morin, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron base energy manager, "The intent is to spend the funds on something that will save energy or water. The first time we won, we spent the funds on 621 new Energy Star computers."

"For the award we were judged on the last three years' average water and energy usage. The current year's usage is then compared to the average and the percentage reduction is compared to the other AETC bases and the base with the greatest percentage wins," said Morin.

Some of the ways that the base has saved money included upgrading to more efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, using low flow aerators on faucets, and cutting down on the use of water for irrigation.

"The first time I came on base I couldn't understand why the base was so green. I found out that we were one of the worst in AETC for water usage," said Eric Guess, 47th CES resource efficiency manager.

The amount of water Laughlin was using to keep the base green was unreasonable, explained Guess. It was the biggest drawback in reducing water usage, but it was an easy fix.

To save on water usage, the 47th CES cut water coverage from 300 acres of irrigation to 60 acres by irrigating 30-foot sections from the curbs on all priority roads.

Laughlin's next project to tackle is elimination $120,000 from its utility bill consisting of electricity, natural gas and water by the end of the fiscal year.

One of the ways Laughlin personnel can help is by contacting the 47th CES customer service at 298-5488 if any out of place greenery or moist patches are noticed on base.

"We ask everyone to individually conserve as much as possible to minimize the number of cost-reducing actions that will be taken," said Morin. "If we all work together we can continue to save the Air Force money and meet the saving standards."