MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Camp Pendleton’s energy office held an energy awareness day event at the Mainside Center to educate service members and base residents about the importance of energy efficiency, Nov. 19.
“It’s really important that the residents on base are informed about ways to reduce the amount of energy they consume annually,” said Charles Howell, resource efficiency manager, Base Energy Office, Camp Pendleton. “If we can get the message through to at least one person, our job here has been done.”
During the event, solar-powered fountains and lights were on display for onlookers to observe. Patrons also received free items such as florescent light bulbs and various energy saving tools such as indoor thermometers.
One of the first efforts by the U.S. government to reduce energy usage came in the early 1970s when Congress mandated reductions in energy consumed by federal agencies. The focus was primarily on improving building efficiency and reducing fossil fuel use. A recent Executive Order mandates a 30 percent further reduction by 2015. President Barrack Obama has included the goal of improving public building energy efficiency in his administration’s economic recovery plan, according to the Congressional Research Service Web site.
Camp Pendleton officials have actively pursued energy efficiency by developing several solar-powered facilities such as heated base pools, more than 30 office buildings.
“Currently, Camp Pendleton is one-third of the way toward meeting our 30 percent energy reduction goal,” said Sid Mohseni, resource efficiency manager, contracted to work in conjunction with the Base Energy Office. “I am more than confident that the base will be able to meet the requirement set by the Department of Defense for 2015.”
For more information about military installations energy efficiency guidelines visit, http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/financing/uescs_legislation.html or call the Camp Pendleton Base Energy Office at (760) 725-0566.