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Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is concentrating efforts into meeting and exceeding the Department of Defense and Marine Corps goals for energy efficiency. The Air Station has met goals for lowering greenhouse gases, improving energy efficiency, using more renewable energy and less fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and gasoline.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel

Air Station persists with energy efficiency efforts

22 Aug 2014 | Cpl. Brendan Roethel Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is focusing on meeting and exceeding Department of Defense and Marine Corps goals for energy efficiency. While large-scale efforts, helped the Air Station meet its goal in 2013 to reduce energy usage by 30 percent, individual efforts can produce equal benefits.

The Air Station has met goals for lowering greenhouse gases, improving energy efficiency, using more renewable energy and less fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and gasoline. The Air Station has also met and exceeded water conservation goals.
“We’ve met our goal but we’re still doing projects to reduce further,” said Neil Tisdale, Air Station utilities director and energy manager.  “The federal government has set a level of energy for each base to meet and a percentage below that baseline to set as a goal. The Air Station has met and exceeded the federal goal of using 30 percent less energy than the baseline.”
The efforts of individuals aboard the Air Station can directly impact the environment. Pollution prevention and minimizing impact play a large role, Tisdale said. To save energy, unplug electronics and chargers when not in use and turn lights off when not at home.
With 25 percent of the base energy usage consisting of the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters alone, conservation efforts are now targeting the single Marines and sailors. 
“By installing [water efficient] shower heads, energy efficient light bulbs and central air units, we are saving a lot of money, but we need the help of individual Marines to do better,” said Tisdale. “By unplugging unused phone chargers, turning off unnecessary lights, and being cautious of water usage we can lower the Marine Corps’ energy bill.” 
Several projects that have helped reduce energy include changing the lamps on base to reduce electricity use, as well as putting aerators in shower heads, and changing flush valves to significantly lower water use. 
By being green and changing personal habits, Marines can work hand in hand with Public Works in saving the Marine Corps’ utility funds, which could be used for operational and recreational uses. According to a DoD press release, in 2013, the Marine Corps spent $300 million on utilities alone. The money used to power lights, cell phone chargers left in outlets and other unused electrical devices, are the same dollars that can be used by the Marine Corps for bullets, equipment and troop welfare events.