Air Force individuals, units win federal Energy and Water Management Award

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  A number of Air Force people, units and bases were honored here Oct. 31 with the 2007 Federal Energy and Water management award, presented by Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman.

Those awarded came from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.; Goodfellow AFB, Texas; Kirtland AFB, N.M.; Randolph AFB, Texas; F.E. AFB, Wyo.; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; and Sheppard AFB, Texas.

The award is given to individuals, teams, and organizations throughout the Federal government that save taxpayers more than $18 million in energy costs over one year through energy efficiency improvements and innovative project management strategies.

"President Bush has set aggressive goals for reducing the Federal government's use of energy, and we intend to meet those goals with robust measures," Secretary Bodman said. "Those recognized today demonstrate that Federal employees are rising to the challenge. As public servants, it is our responsibility to lead and set an example of efficiency and prudent use of our resources."

Presented each year since 1981 by the Department of Energy and the Federal Interagency Policy Committee, the award recognizes efforts that help agencies meet energy efficiency and renewable energy goals set for the government by the president and Congress.

The 2007 winners were selected from nominations submitted by 17 Federal agencies.

Accomplishments of the winners include:

-- Use of renewable energy systems including wind turbines, roof-top solar photovoltaic arrays, building integrated photovoltaics, solar-powered street lights, and geothermal heat pumps to power federal facilities;

-- Implementation of facility -wide systemic changes by improving operations and maintenance practices and upgrading building management and HVAC equipment, including recommissioning energy systems and installing high efficiency lighting and direct digital controls;

-- Improvements in energy security, which include constructing a massive chilled water loop that harnesses the maximum cooling capacities of several chillers using an energy management control system;

-- Use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts and Utility Energy Services Contracts to leverage private sector financing of energy improvement projects;

-- Installation of leak-detection devices and unique water storage and irrigation systems to reduce water consumption.

This awards program is one of several held each year in conjunction Energy Awareness Month, to highlight the critical importance of energy efficiency and renewable resources and Federal efforts to lead by example in energy management.

A complete listing and descriptions of the award winners are found on the Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program Web page.