After a study of energy consumption of Lejeune Hall, occupants in the building began consolidating resources to help conserve energy where possible.

According to Kirk Nelson, director of Installation and Environment Division, Marine Corps Base Quantico’s utility budget is $14 million for the 2014 fiscal year and once the money is exhausted, funds are pulled from elsewhere, leaving fewer funds available for programs on the base.

“We are asking all commands to conserve energy in their buildings where they can,” said Nelson. “When the money in the utility budget is exhausted it consumes everyone’s budget.”

To date, Lejeune Hall is the only building on base to undergo an appliance energy consumption study.

Nelson added the utility budget is a must-fund bill, meaning the base must pay its utility bills.

The study found there are 12 full-sized refrigerators, 32 personal-space refrigerators, 28 microwaves, 25 coffee machines, eight toasters and five vending machines in LeJeune Hall. Upon receiving the results, the MCB Commanding Officer immediately reduced the refrigerators in the Command Office from five to one.  Other sections are also consolidating their appliances for energy conservation.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, a group of scientists and economists who work to find useful and ongoing resolutions to environmental problems reported $108 billion is spent each year on energy bills for commercial buildings nationwide.

— Writer: twertz@quanticosentryonline.com