PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. Aca,!" When you think energy and water conservation, what do you think of'
Sitting in a cold, dark cubicle'
Although that may be an extreme way to conserve energy, itAca,!a,,cs not what James Symanski and Robert D. Johnson, Presidio of Monterey Energy Compliance, want to convey as a measure to the Presidio community.
Aca,!A"The popular misconception is you sit in the dark and wear sweaters,Aca,!A? Symanski said of the program. Aca,!A"Our job is to enhance the mission and not hinder it.Aca,!A?
When Symanski began his mission in April 2009 to uphold Executive Order 13514: Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, specifically the 10-year goal of reducing energy usage can costs by 30 percent and water usage by 24 percent, energy and water conservation was little more than an additional duty that a Directorate of Public Works staffer held.
After enacting several initiatives within the garrison, his position became a more predominate as higher commands took notice.
Aca,!A"Installation Management Command saw the opportunity to save money through energy and water conservation,Aca,!A? Symanski said. Aca,!A"(So I) pushed to make it a full-time job, which led to the creation of a (conservation) team,Aca,!A? he added.
Soon after, Johnson joined as the resource energy manager. He currently assesses the ways personnel have saved and translates those savings into numbers.
Seeing in detail the different choices people make helps in understanding what they are doing to contribute to the program, said Johnson.
Aca,!A"Imagine trying to figure out your gas mileage with no gas gauge,Aca,!A? Johnson said.
And for the most part, Johnson said, while the Presidio Garrison staff members have been doing their part to conserve energy, they have been hindered because of equipment on the Presidio that predates WWII.
Some initiatives the POM Directorate of Public Works will or have taken to fix this are:
Aca,!Ac Install solar panels on Price Fitness Center.
Aca,!Ac Install wall insulation.
Aca,!Ac Install energy-efficient exterior lights.
Aca,!Ac Install solar power street lamps.
Aca,!Ac Install motion-sensing light switches.
Aca,!Ac Launch a building energy-monitoring program.
Johnson also said that using energy star appliances help in achieving the President ObamaAca,!a,,cs conservation goals.
The conservation program is also enhanced by a helpful POM community, Symanski said.
Aca,!A"The POM community is doing a great job. We are bombarded by e-mails with suggestions or asking what they can do to help,Aca,!A? Symanski said.
Aca,!A"Our energy and water conservation programs are focused not only on saving resources, but also on spreading the message that the Presidio of Monterey is committed to conservation and that we strive to ensure our impact on society is always positive,Aca,!A? Symanski concluded.
The Presidio of Monterey Department of Public Works staff emphasizes that while conservation is a team effort, it is up to every person to do his or her part.
Some examples of what people can do (with approximate savings):
Aca,!Ac Turn off unneeded electronics at night to save $90 per person yearly or $450,000 for the entire installation.
Aca,!Ac Do laundry, cooking and other electricity-intensive activities before noon or after 6 p.m. and save $50 per person yearly or $300,000 for the entire installation.
Aca,!Ac Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs to save $20 per bulb yearly or $20,000 for the entire installation.
Aca,!Ac Wash laundry in cold water with cold water detergent to save $30 per person yearly or $80,000 for the entire installation.
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