Energy conservation

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Col. Robert Maness, 55th Wing vice commander, replaces a standard incandescent bulb in his office with an Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent lamp as part of the Department of Defense campaign “Operation Change Out.” The campaign challenges military bases across the country to install CFLs in their facilities as part of Energy Conservation Month in October. “Our engineers and our environmental folks are constantly looking at our facilities to see ways we can save energy,” said Colonel Maness. The 55th Wing is currently working on putting meters on many buildings on base so energy usage can be measured by building, he said, furthering Offutt’s capability to conserve energy. (U.S. Air Force Photo By Kendra Williams)

Offutt celebrates Earth Day with energy savings project

Published April 21, 2009
By 55th Wing
Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Wing is observing the annual Earth Day celebration by changing out incandescent bulbs around the base with new energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).

As part of a national campaign known as Operation Change Out, the base replaced 2,145 inefficient, incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star qualified CFLs. This effort will save 407,490 kilowatt hours of electricity, $43,194 on energy bills, and prevent 401,882 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, over the lifetime of the bulbs.

"This is a great energy savings project and something that we're very proud to be a part of," said Robert Conklin, base energy manager. "As a wing, we strive to be good stewards of the environment as well as the taxpayers' dollars and this earth friendly program will save us money in the long run."

All 64 major Air Force bases across the country are participating in this campaign, which is a joint effort between the U. S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Since Earth Day 2008 the Air Force has changed out 228,000 bulbs. This will not only save millions of pounds of greenhouse gases and enough energy to power 3,841 homes for a year, but the service will also save $7.5 million over the lifetime of the bulbs.

Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.