FORT CAMPBELL, KY -- When the Honorable Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installation, Energy and Environment, visited Tuesday, her objective was two-fold: Spread the word about current and future Army efforts in her area of responsibility and learn what Fort Campbell is doing in these areas.
She left with the impression that the Pollution Prevention Operations Center is a 'Best Practices' model and encouraged its use at other installations.
"The Pollution Prevention Operations Center is where we manage hazardous materials for all units on the installation," said Director of Public Works Judi Hudson. "During her tour of the facility we described how our PPOC process and environmental handbook make it easy for Soldiers to 'do the right thing' with regard to the environment."
Fort Campbell is often noted at state and local levels for its outstanding conservation and "Green" efforts. Hammack saw why first-hand.
Touring the post on a "Green Bus" the installation purchased with Qualified Recycling Program funding, she received briefings on installation environmental and energy consumption programs. She also dined with Soldiers at the Sustainment Brigade Dining Facility and visited Soldier and Family housing areas.
According to Deputy Garrison Commander Chuck Munson, who coordinated the visit, Hammack was impressed by Fort Campbell's efforts. "She was pleased and complimented the installation on its work," he said. "She also challenged us in facilitating any changes that are occurring or will come in the future."
At the Village Commons Community Center, Hammack observed children enjoying the splash-park and boundless playground. She also noted great improvements in housing resulting from the Resident Communities Initiatives and the way ahead for continued improvement under the management of Campbell Crossing, LLC.
During the energy brief, the group discussed the significant difference that conservation and behavior makes on energy usage.
"We showed Ms. Hammack how we were able to reduce electric demand by 17 percent during June's triple digit temperatures as compared to last August," said Hudson. "It was because of the concerted actions of Soldiers, Families and civilians. We achieved this reduction despite an increase in the number of Soldiers on post, which was more than 7,600."
According to Munson, Hammack stressed as a key point the need to focus more on core programs and services. "She told us we need to decide on what we stop doing and what we can no longer afford," he said.
Hammack said that military construction projects will be reduced to $75-79 million for the entire Army and that design criteria for company operations; that administrative facilities will be altered to meet new requirements and cost constraints; and to expect guidance on directing the installation to reduce the inventory of 2004/05 erected relocatable metal buildings.
She also noted that she is focusing on maintaining and growing sustainment, restoration and modernization efforts so that installations keep current facilities functional or repurpose existing those facilities for emerging requirements.
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Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment)
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