FORT DETRICK, Md., June 17, 2011 -- Representatives from U.S. Army Garrisons around the world continued the second day of the inaugural U.S. Army Net Zero Workshop, here, June 15, 2011, with in-depth presentations and discussions about the best way to reach the goal of being net zero.
As the Army places maximum effort to conserve resources, being a net zero installation means it will consume only as much energy or water as they produce and eliminate solid waste to landfills.
Personnel broke into three groups representing an energy track, water track and waste track, presenting initiatives each base has implemented, or is planning to, and the challenges each face. Becoming a net zero installation differs for each track.
“One of the biggest things people have to realize is every installation is unique, and there is no cookie-cutter approach that will work to achieve a net zero,” said Mark Dressler, Fort Detrick’s Solid Waste Manager during his presentation to those attending the discussion of waste management.
Having the different groups break out and hold these in-depth discussions is important according to Richard G. Kidd IV, deputy assistant secretary of the Army (Energy & Sustainability), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army Installations, Energy & Environment, because it, “establishes a collaborative network to accelerate the learning process across the Army,” he said.
Kidd added that the Army has learned from the private sector how important it is to take down the obstacles that prevent sharing of knowledge, and to give the installations involved in the net zero process all the tools they need.
Following the morning presentations, the attendees took part in track-specific technical sessions, panel discussions with leaders from across the Department of Defense, Department of Energy and various other government agencies.
The U.S. Army Garrisons represented at the three-day workshop represent installations of all sizes and functions, and from around the world.
Representing the Army’s pilot net zero energy installations at the workshop are:
- Fort Detrick, Md.
- Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif.
- Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, Calif.
- Sierra Army Depot, Calif.
- West Point, N.Y.
- Oregon Army National Guard, Ore.
These installations are working to produce as much energy on site as it uses, over the course of a year.
Representing the pilot net zero water installations are:
- Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
- Camp Rilea, Ore.
- Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico
- Fort Riley, Kan.
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
- Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pa.
Net zero water installations are working to limit the consumption of freshwater resources and returns water back to the same watershed so as not to deplete the groundwater and surface water resources of that region in quantity and quality over the course of a year.
Representing the Army’s pilot net zero waste installations at the workshop are:
- Fort Detrick, Md.
- Fort Hood, Texas
- Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif.
- Fort Polk, La.
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
- U.S. Army Garrison, Grafenwoehr, Germany
A net zero waste installation reduces, reuses, and recovers waste streams, converting them to resource values with zero landfill over the course of a year.
Additionally, two other installations, Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Carson, Colo., volunteered to be integrated net zero installations. A net zero installation combines three interrelated components: net zero energy, net zero water, and net zero waste.
Related Links:
Net Zero waste goal becoming a reality at JBLM
Private investment key to 'Net Zero' initiative
Fort Carson achieves Net Zero status
Plans underway for fort to reach 'Net Zero' waste by 2020
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment
Social Sharing