Energy team visits Dyess

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A high-powered energy team consisting of members from the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense visited Dyess to see its energy programs Aug. 17 and 18.

The "Renewable Energy Showcase" made stops at the effluent water systems, wind farms and future site of the waste-to-energy plant. 

"Dyess is an absolute leader in the Air Force for renewable energy programs, because 100 percent of its energy comes from renewable energy sources," said the Honorable Alexander Karsner, assistant secretary for DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 

Another visitor, Michael Aimone, assistant deputy chief of staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, was just as impressed with the resources Team Dyess has used for renewable energy. 

"Dyess has absolutely knocked the socks off of us with the programs they have supported," Mr. Aimone said. 

One of the reasons the Department of Defense has begun to invest heavily in renewable energy programs is cost, Mr. Aimone said. 

"The Air Force spends (approximately) $5 billion in energy each year," he said. "We have to get this under control. Part of that is to seek alternative energy resources and synthetic fuels based on domestic sources." 

Some of those domestic sources could come from coal, Mr. Aimone said. Mr. Karsner agrees that utilizing renewable energy sources is critical for the Department of Defense. 

"The role of the (military) is national security," Mr. Karsner said. "The president has talked about breaking our energy addiction because it impacts national security. By better supporting our people, we are helping this situation." 

As part of the tour, the group also discussed ways Team Dyess could continue to improve on its positive energy program. 

"One of the things we have asked for is the possibility of using the roofs for solar power," Mr. Karsner said. 

"I hope to see more of the same from Dyess in the future," said the Honorable William Anderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics. 

"Non-pollute able resources are another item we would like to look at because of the great environmental impact they have." 

Overall, the team was more than satisfied with their visit to Dyess. 

"It was clear before we came, and now the visit only confirms it: Dyess is clearly a leader in renewable energy," Mr. Anderson said. "They are showing the Department of Energy they're way ahead and the future of providing renewable energy that President Bush wants (for the nation)." 

"I will be thrilled to report that I visited the leading base in energy renewal," Mr. Karsner said. "I will work constantly to see that Dyess' story is told."