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AMC commitment to conserve energy sizzles with new McGuire contract

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Kathleen Ferrero
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The temperature of Air Mobility Command's commitment to energy conservation is as high as the savings that will be realized through an Energy Savings Performance Contract signed Dec. 23 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

The Energy Savings Performance Contract implements four energy savings projects at McGuire: heat plant decentralization; upgraded high-efficiency lighting; chiller plant improvements and implementation of an energy management system.

The move at McGuire will reduce the base's energy use by more than 40 percent and save more than $137 million during the contract term.

The contract allows for a third party to finance a project up front, while the Air Force pays the money back with interest over a 19-year period, said Mr. Stephen Kalmer, AMC Command Energy Manager.

Because the new localized high efficiency boilers are more energy efficient and will require fewer resources, the contract stipulates the expected savings are projected to completely fund the infrastructure upgrade, including the interest owed, Mr. Kalmer said.

The current centralized plant pushes high-temperature hot water through underground pipes across McGuire, which spans more than five million square feet and houses more than 250 buildings.

The new decentralized plan will consist of approximately 100 localized, high-efficiency boilers located in each building, Mr. Kalmer said. This would eliminate the need to pump scalding hot water through miles of piping inside cold earth, saving money on the energy required to keep it hot until it gets to its destination.

It also promises to save on the parts and manpower required to maintain these pipes, as well as what it takes to maintain the current central plant's huge boilers.

The contract guarantees important infrastructure improvements despite shrinking appropriations, Mr. Kalmer said. Such improvements are especially important for McGuire, which became jointly based with Fort Dix and Naval Air Station Lakehurst, Oct. 1.

Personnel at McGuire and Headquarters AMC worked for nearly four years to research, create and get the contract signed.

With this effort, base occupants can look forward to enhanced equipment reliability and comfort, as well as peace of mind in knowing AMC is doing its part to take care of the environment, Mr. Kalmer said.