Building a green future

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton and Airman 1st Class Alessandra N. Gamboa
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  With April 22 marked as Earth Day 2011, Ellsworth Airmen are encouraged to look for ways they can conserve energy in everyday life.

The base is hosting events designed to educate Airmen on energy conservation.

During Earth Day, the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron is scheduled to place two outreach booths at the Ellsworth Base Exchange and Commissary, where Airmen can stop by and receive free promotional products for energy awareness, such as posters and compact fluorescent lamp bulbs.

Dell Petersen, 28th CES energy manager, explained that it is important for Airmen to make time within their daily schedules to positively impact energy conservation.

"When it comes to creating a greener future, one single person can't do it all," he said. "Everyone plays a vital role in energy conservation and each contribution counts."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website offers tips Airmen can use to reduce their carbon footprint and help conserve energy.

· If an Airman were to leave their car at home twice a week, and either use public transportation, carpool, walk or bike to work, it would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 1,600 pounds per year. Learn more about reducing carbon footprints.

· By using CFL bulbs such as those the 28th CES will be providing on Earth Day, Airmen and their families can take huge steps to making their homes more energy efficient. If every home in America were to replace just one conventional light bulb with a CFL bulb, enough energy would be saved to light more than 3 million homes a year. Find more ways to save energy in your home.

· Airmen who have old computers, DVD players, cell phones or other electronic devices can take the items to an electronics recycling center. Designed to reduce mining and processing, eCycling helps save natural resources like copper and gold. It can also reduce land, air and water pollution by reusing hazardous materials like lead or chromium. Search for nearby eCycling centers.

Col. Trent Edwards, 28th Mission Support Group commander, said Ellsworth has been aligning itself with renewable energy goals put forward by the EPA and Department of Defense.

"Both the DOD and Ellsworth are very involved with energy conservation and being good stewards of the environment," he said. "Our 28th CES team has been leading the charge on the federally mandated conservation goals. I'm very proud of the things they've done so far."

In 2009 the 28th CES reduced water usage on Ellsworth by 19 percent when they repaired major leaks in the water distribution system. This project allowed the base to save more than 5 million gallons of water within the year.

Another program Colonel Edwards highlighted was a boiler retrofit, completed in 2010. The entire project cost $2 million, but reduced carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions from the base by 4,000 metric tons.

"Projects like these are saving taxpayers almost $2 million every year," he said. "I'm very thankful the 28th CES is studying ways to affect change on this base by improving energy efficiency, reducing consumption and upgrading facilities."

Colonel Edwards said the Air Force and DOD are committed to making a greener military.

"The Air Force just recently won five DOD environmental awards," he said. "We are very serious about protecting the environment. It's just the right thing to do."