Dyess Airmen are Air Force energy

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alexander Guerrero
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Electricity is something that many people may take for granted, and not give a second thought about how much it costs.

In 2011, the Air Force spent $9.7 billion on fuel and electricity. Dyess, alone spends $111,000 per day to keep the base and all its faculties running. This is why the 7th Civil Engineering Squadron wants to bring costs down with the new "I Am Air Force Energy" program during Energy Action month. The program will highlight energy-saving tips and tricks that everyone can use.

"Every energy tip people take to heart is dollars saved, so if we save the Air Force dollars here at Dyess and add that up across Air Combat Command and then across the Air Force as a whole, it will help with our budgeting now more than ever," said 2nd Lt. Jamar Adams, 7th CES Installation Management Deputy Flight Commander.

Little, everyday things can make a difference if everyone does them. Things like replacing old lights with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, setting your thermostat to 69 degrees in winter and 76 degrees during the summer and turning off your computer monitor when not in use. Tips like these can be applied to elsewhere besides just the base.

"The 'I Am Air Force Energy' program is designed to teach people the importance of energy conservation," Adams said. "The conservation tips we will be teaching can be used on and off base; to not only save the Air Force money, but you as well."

The program needs maximum participation to be effective. To help this, there will be program representative in each group of the wing as well as booths that are currently set up at the BX and the pharmacy will have more information. CES also plans on hosting an "Energy Competition Day" where teams of four will participate in different activities.

"We want everyone to participate," Adams said. "Without buy in from the base community this program won't work, so I encourage everyone to think energy conservation."