An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Article Display

Air Force wins EPA energy award

  • Published
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Air Force officials received an Environment Protection Agency award for leading the federal government in purchasing renewable energy in October in Denver.

The Air Force was named the winner of the 2008 Green Power Leadership Award in the Green Power Purchaser category.

Air Force officials made an annual purchase of more than 899 million kilowatt hours, making it the top federal government purchaser of green power and ranking it among the largest purchasers on the EPA Green Power Partnership list.

In addition, Air Force leaders have implemented several renewable energy projects on bases:
-- A 14.2 megawatt photovoltaic solar array -- the largest in the western hemisphere located -- Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
-- A 0.4 megawatt photovoltaic array at Luke AFB, Ariz.
-- A 0.4 megawatt photovoltaic rooftop at March Air Reserve Base, Calif.
-- A 3.3. megawatt wind farm at Warren AFB, Wyo.;
-- A 2.7 megawatt wind farm at Ascension Island, England.
-- A 2.3 megawatt landfill gas project at Hill AFB, Utah.
-- A 3,500 ground source heat pumps at various locations.

"As the largest federal energy user, the Air Force consumes significant amounts of energy in executing its national defense mission," said said Kevin W. Billings, the acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics. 

"The increasing costs of energy and the nation's commitment to reducing its dependence on foreign oil have led to the development of the Air Force energy strategy -- to reduce demand, increase supply and change the culture within the Air Force so that energy is a consideration in everything Airmen do. A key component of our strategy is the imperative to eliminate waste and conserve resources as well as seek new, alternative sources of energy. This award recognizes our efforts in that area."

The Air Force is a previous winner of the Green Power Leadership Award in 2004, and received the Green Power Partner of the Year award in 2003 and 2005.