Marine Corps Base Quantico -- “You have the power” is the tagline for the Marine Corps’ new energy ethos campaign and Unit Energy Manager program. A MARADMIN announcing the effort was released March 9 by Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics Lt. Gen. William M. Faulkner.
In the message, Faulkner states “the efficient use of energy resources is a critical component of mission readiness.”
The overall goal of the energy manager program is ambitious yet attainable — to change the mindset of those who live and work aboard the base to be more conscious of how we use our water and energy resources.
The program does not call for drastic changes; rather, it calls for all individuals to take small steps that will collectively add up to large savings for the Marine Corps. Such energy-saving steps include turning off computers at night, turning off the lights when leaving a room, not using artificial lighting when ample natural lighting exists and unplugging electrical equipment that is not in use, among other actions.
Water-saving steps include turning off the water while shaving or brushing teeth, taking shorter showers and installing water-reducing toilets and shower fixtures.
Base Commander Col. David Maxwell recently released a letter directing all units, commands, tenant commands and other supported organizations aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico to assign a Unit Energy Manager in accordance with the MARADMIN. The Installation Energy Manager, Jeromy Range, will provide training to all UEMs and oversee the program.
Range said that the requirements for the UEMs are not extensive; they will have to attend a one-time, two-day training session, provide occasional education sessions to the members of their unit on energy and water-saving measures, and conduct monthly and quarterly inspections of their unit’s buildings. Items on the checklists include, for example, whether lights are left on in unoccupied areas, whether computer monitors are left on when Marines and other employees are away from their desks, whether personal space heaters are being used and whether people are leaving water running while brushing their teeth or cleaning up in the kitchen.
Range said he; Cmdr. Joseph Greeson, the Public Works Officer; Kirk Nelson, the GF director; and Maxwell are working on ways to recognize units that make a concerted effort to reduce their energy and water consumption.
For those wondering whether turning off the lights makes a difference, Range provided the following data: the Marine Corps spent $262 million on energy costs in FY13. Reducing energy use by just 10 percent, which can be accomplished through the aforementioned small steps, would save the Marine Corps $26 million, enough money to fund five integrated training exercises.
— Writer: ebaker@quanticosentryonline.com