Ellsworth celebrates EDay 2010

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen joined together on base to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, April 22.

Ellsworth marked the occasion with several events throughout the installation, including giving away energy efficient light bulbs to installation resdients at the base exchange and a five-kilometer run.

Despite Earth Day lasting only 24-hours, Dell Petersen, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental flight chief, said Ellsworth is constantly focused on the environment.

A good example of this focus is the 28 CES new advanced metering system.

"[This system] gives leadership real-time data on utility consumption and has already impacted how we approach building improvements," he said. "Our system may be the most comprehensive and highly evolved in the Air Force."

Mr. Petersen said Ellsworth is also investing heavily to improve energy efficiency across the base.

"Retro commissioning is a new venue for Air Combat Command," Mr. Petersen said.

"The goal is to revisit buildings that are poor performers and tune them to mission requirements."

Ellsworth's efforts to mark Earth Day coincide with the Environmental Protection Agency's initiatives, according to the EPA site at www.epa.gov.

The site explains if every American home replaced just one light with an energy efficient light bulb like the ones given away by 28 CES at the BX, enough energy would be saved to "to light more than 3 million homes for a year, about $700 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions of about 800,000 cars."

Col. Steven Hiss, 28th Bomb Wing vice-commander, said Ellsworth's efforts were not merely based on Earth Day, but were a year round effort.

"It's no secret these days we squeeze every penny from our budget," he said. "Ellsworth's go-green initiatives save dollars, which free up funds for the warfighter. Energy efficient measures are good for the Air Force as well as the environment."

Mr. Petersen agreed.

"The good news is that creating a better work environment more often than not reduces the energy bill," Mr. Petersen said. "The focus is, and will remain, on ensuring proper use of our natural resources.

More environmental and "go-green" information may be obtained at www.epa.gov.