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October is Energy Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The month of October has been designated as Energy Awareness Month here and United States wide.

In 2013, President Obama proclaimed October as National Energy Awareness Month saying "I call upon the citizens of the United States to recognize this month by working together to achieve greater energy security, a more robust economy, and a healthier environment for our children."

The DOD participates in this initiative to express to service members the importance of conserving energy.

"This past fiscal year, we paid $5,560,540 for electricity," said Samuel Johnson, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental impact analysis process project manager. "We averaged $463,378 per month."

Since the first central power plant was built in Manhattan N.Y., in 1882, Americans have been searching for ways to save on the costs associated with energy consumption.

Four weekly tips have been put in place for Airmen to observe.

Week 1 - Use programmable thermostats to reduce heating and cooling when you are out and reach for settings of 69 degrees in the winter and 76 degrees in the summer.

Week 2 - Consolidate personal appliances from your workspace to shared spaces.  Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio eliminated 810 personal appliances, including toasters, microwaves and coffeemakers, saving almost one million watts.

Week 3 - Reduce the amount of time spent idling in your car.  30 minutes of idling burns 1 gallon of gas.

Week 4 - Use a power strip as a central "turn off" point to disconnect power to cell chargers, fans, and radios not in use.  This can reduce electricity use as much as 10 percent.

Along with weekly tips, Oct. 24 has been designated as Energy Day.

"A few energy companies will be setting up booths in the Base Exchange," said 1st Lt. Bianca Romanyk, 20th CES officer in charge of portfolio optimization. "They'll be giving out pamphlets, have a few displays, and may even give out some freebies."

For more information on Energy Awareness Month visit www.energy.gov