CAMP ZAMA, Japan – In fiscal 2021, U.S. Army Garrison Japan spent almost $20.4 million to power its housing and facilities. Installation officials hope to drastically cut that cost.
The garrison’s Directorate of Public Works has requested community members to do their part by efficiently using utilities to not only lower costs, but to also reach green milestones.
“Whether it be the garrison, the tenant units or anybody else on the installation, it’s not free,” said Eduardo Zepeda Jr., chief of DPW’s electrical and A/C branch. “Someone has to pay for it.”
Last fiscal year, electrical and thermal energy use was about 150 million British thermal units less than fiscal 2020 when the pandemic first hit. However, Zepeda said the consumption rate should still be lower in order to remain on track of meeting a 25% reduction goal from fiscal 2015 to 2025.
For reference, one million BTUs is equal to roughly 290 kilowatts of electricity, 970 cubic feet of natural gas, or 70 pounds of coal.
“We have sustained a goal to reduce energy and water consumption 2.5% annually,” Zepeda said. “Unfortunately with COVID and everyone pretty much staying indoors, instead of going downward, it has increased.”
On-post housing takes up much of the energy demand. Camp Zama has over 320 units of family housing and almost 500 spaces for unaccompanied housing. An additional 464 units of family housing can be found at the nearby Sagamihara Family Housing Area.
Zepeda encourages on-post residents to practice energy-saving measures, such as taking shorter showers, turning off the water when brushing their teeth, or turning off the lights when not in a room. They can also try to run loads of laundry, the dishwasher or other appliances after 7 p.m. when the electricity rate is lower.
The USAG Japan Energy and Water Conservation Policy, which was published in September, also outlines how heating and cooling systems should be properly used.
For instance, during the colder months, the heating temperature should generally not go above 21 C, or 70 F, when the unit is occupied. In the warmer months, the cooling temperature should not go below 24 C, or 76 F, when the unit is occupied.
Zepeda suggests that residents can use an extra blanket when sleeping to stay warm in the winter or fans to keep cool in the summer.
“We don’t have the capability to control or set each individual [heating and cooling system] to go no higher or lower those than those temperatures,” he said, “so it’s really upon the occupant to efficiently use them.”
Last month, the Army released its first Climate Strategy, which guides decision-making in response to threats from the climate. It also emphasizes resilient energy and water supplies, efficient structures and non-tactical fleet electrification, as well as the Army’s commitment to 100% carbon-free electricity at installations by 2030.
While more work will be needed to meet that commitment here, Zepeda said that DPW has retrofitted several facilities with LED lights to conserve energy. It is also looking to install double-pane windows in many of its older buildings.
Camp Zama also has a cogeneration plant it can utilize to prevent the post from going above a peak demand rate for electricity in the summer.
“That’s one of our cost-saving measures that we do at the garrison to reduce the amount of money that we pay to the utility provider,” he said.
A potential measure that DPW could implement is an energy savings performance contract, in which a private company finds ways to cut energy costs and is paid from those savings, he said.
Yokota Air Base announced the start of a 25-year ESPC last year to improve energy resilience and enhance mission readiness.
Even if USAG Japan is able to do a similar contract in the future, Zepeda said individuals can play a role now by carefully watching their energy use.
“Earth does not have an unlimited supply of natural resources,” he said. “Therefore, as good stewards in utilizing those resources, we should be conscious to reduce consumption, as an individual and an organization overall, to help meet the green initiatives and the goals set forth by the United States Army.”
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