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$3.2M renewable energy project slated for McGuire

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Paula A. Paige
  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center public affairs
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Aiming to address environmental concerns, a $3.2 million alternative and renewable energy project involving Stevens Institute and McGuire Air Force Base will launch here late spring.

The project, announced during a telephone news conference Feb. 12, will bring more than 350 "green-collar" jobs to the South Jersey region within a few years, base officials and Democratic lawmakers said.

"(305th Air Mobility Wing Commander) Col. (Balan) Ayyar has created an environment here at McGuire that is not only receptive, but also aggressively proactive to partner with industry or academia to find energy solutions," said Col. Scott Smith, 305th AMW vice commander, who participated in the conference call.

"This Stevens Institute project is a natural continuation of that energy vision captured in one of the 305th's enduring themes of preserving resources," Colonel Smith said. "Colonel Ayyar doesn't just talk the talk when it comes to resource preservation. Any and all opportunities to reduce our energy demand and carbon footprint are sought and evaluated and ultimately incorporated when at all feasible. As you look around the installation, you will see many signs of this energy focus. New, advanced-efficiency solar panels are just a sampling. The goal is to be energy neutral, and we're on a great pace to get there."

Though plans are under way to identify about 10 acres of land where the plant will be located, no site has been selected to house the project, Colonel Smith said, adding that McGuire will work with Stevens Institute to pick an appropriate site.

Biomass is a renewable energy source made from products such as wood, crops, manure and some garbage.

"Our military has a goal of generating at least 25 percent of its energy from renewable resources," Rep. Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ) said. "The United States Air Force is in the lead in that category. Not just at McGuire, but around the country, our Air Force is tops among services in reaching that goal. This (project) is one of the examples of how they're doing it. What this will mean is that power that's being generated on the base at McGuire presently by fossil fuels will now be generated in an environmentally friendly way, which will help create a new industry, new companies and new opportunities for the people of South Jersey."

This is a win-win opportunity for the region and the country, Rep. John H. Adler (D-NJ) added. "The fact that we can create high-tech jobs right away and help reduce our dependence on oil, and do it at an Air Force base, seems so appropriate at this time when jobs are falling by the wayside. It's wonderful."

With water vapor as its only byproduct, the renewable energy plant to be built at McGuire will generate about half a megawatt or 500 kilowatts of power, which will power up to about 40 homes, said Hal Raveche, president of Stevens Institute.

"It reduces the carbon footprint," Mr. Raveche said. "We are delighted to be part of this. We've been involved with energy production for a while. We have our own goal to be less reliant on fossil fuels. We are honored to be of service to the Department of Defense, especially the Air Force whose role we greatly admire."

Congressman Andrews had high hopes for the McGuire project. "We're hopeful that the day will come soon when all over the country and the world people will look at McGuire Air Force Base and South Jersey as a prototype for how to convert from a carbon-based footprint to a new economy, a new environment, and we think this is a very, very important first step."

Seeing the 'green' light

Call Chris Archer McGuire Air Force Base's Green guru. As deputy base civil engineer for McGuire AFB, his office is responsible for not just facility operations and engineering design but also environmental issues. With a planned $3.2 million renewable energy project in the works, his thumb is about to get a little greener.

"This project will not contribute to green house gases," Mr. Archer said, tossing out an eco buzz word. If you're no Mr. Archer, and can't tell your carbon footprint from carbon paper, here's a quick primer to keep up with the world's increasing lexicon of green terms:

Biofuel: A solid, liquid or gaseous fuel derived from relatively recently dead biological material and is distinguished from fossil fuels, which are derived from long dead biological material.

Carbon footprint: A measured amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide which are released into the atmosphere by manufacture, transport, products, materials, activities etc. Footprints are described in CO2 equivalent grams.

Global warming: The progressive increase in the Earth's surface and atmospheric temperature over a long period of time. This is linked to climate change, man-made human activities and the ongoing increase of greenhouse gases.

Green: To go green means to make both a conscious and active decision to reduce the negative effect on the environment through your own lifestyle choices.

Renewable energy: Energy from resources that are regenerative, quickly replenished or cannot be depleted.

Sustainable: To lead a good quality of life, through a lifestyle which makes as much as possible from what we have as well as making something last indefinitely. An aspect of this lifestyle choice is to conserve as much as possible.

Sources: www.holistic-interior-designs.com/eco-glossary.html; www.wikipedia.com