| In 1997, the WSU Cooperative Extension Energy Program developed and staffed an innovative, energy reduction program at the Fort Lewis Army Installation near Tacoma, Washington. The Resource Efficiency Manager (REM) Program focuses on involving troop units and family housing residents in behavioral based energy conservation practices. This program was modeled after successful Northwest K-12 school programs that have been in place since 1991.
In FY 98, the first full year, the REM program saved 166,993 million BTUs of energy, enough energy to power 1835 Washington homes for one year. The associated cost savings to the taxpayer is $591,155. As a result of these savings, Fort Lewis received a 2nd place award in the prestigious Secretary of the Army Energy Management Awards Program in July 1999 for the innovative REM program.
As a federal installation, Fort Lewis is mandated by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and Executive Order 13123 to reduce energy consumption by 35 percent by 2010, compared to 1985 levels. The REM’s strategic energy plan was designed to help the installation achieve its goal. The strategy included: an awareness marketing campaign, energy training seminars, troop and family housing incentive programs, improved operations and maintenance techniques, and inclusion of energy efficient design in new construction and building renovations.
Marketing Campaign
The marketing campaign focused on promoting energy efficient practices and detailing energy conservation opportunities. The REM produced and distributed flyers, posters, newsletters, articles and weekly energy tips to help Fort Lewis personnel make wise energy choices. In conjunction with the marketing campaign, troop and family housing incentive programs were implemented to reward energy conservation efforts.
The REM also helped improve operation and maintenance procedures that increased efficiency of energy systems. In addition, the REM facilitated boiler operator training to enable boiler operators to employ proper boiler tune-up techniques to optimize boiler plant efficiencies.
The REM expanded the number of trained energy officers, energy NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and building energy monitors from 10 to 140. The energy personnel were key to the program’s success because they facilitated the day-to-day energy conservation efforts in their assigned buildings and relied on the REM for guidance, training and technical support.
The REM used energy accounting software to develop a database of command unit buildings and family housing areas to track energy cost and consumption.
The software was also used to identify high-energy use buildings and conservation opportunities and track cost and consumption for the incentive programs. The software produced energy consumption reports that were used to determine the incentive awards.
Innovative and Transferable
As a result of this program success, new REM programs are currently being implemented at Navy sites in the Northwest and California. This pilot program was made possible with a grant from U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program. For additional information, contact WSU’s Total Efficiency Network at 1-888-634-2558.
|
