SAF/IE visits JB MDL, talks energy Published Aug. 11, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Joshua King Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy, Miranda Ballentine, met with joint base leaders to discuss energy resilience and efficiency initiatives during a visit here recently. "I keep hearing about JB MDL's energy initiatives and the proactive, lean-in approach that the team here has taken to energy resilience," said Ballentine. "I am here to see how your projects might be a model of 21st century energy resilience solutions for the rest of the Air Force." During her visit, Ballentine specifically discussed proposed plans like enhanced use lease, power purchase agreements, vehicle to grid, and a possible natural gas pipeline, which could potentially run through JB MDL. Joint Base MDL has surpassed annual savings goals since 2010 and is currently number one in Air Mobility Command for energy reduction. Team MDL reduced their energy use by 44 percent compared with the Air Force's goal of 27 percent in 2014 and is set to continue leading the way in energy efficiency with these new programs. During the visit, Christopher Archer, 87th Civil Engineer Group deputy commander expressed that JB MDL has been working hard at reducing energy usage, maximizing energy resilience, and saving money. "Over the last five years we have saved more than $30 million," he said. "We will continue to save more money as these programs develop." Ballentine received a tour of the privatized housing and the Model energy facility before being briefed on the joint base's current and future energy-saving initiatives that will continue meeting Air Force goals while reducing the base's "carbon bootprint" through renewable generation. According to Archer, the reduction is due to the many energy efficiency projects implemented around the installation, including replacement of inefficient lighting and decentralized central heat plant in over 100 buildings, energy management control systems, and equipping the chilled water plant with high efficiency equipment. Largest among the proposed changes is an enhanced-use-lease program that would create energy and revenue generation programs for underutilized land. Approximately 500 acres are available for the lease and the land is planned for use of solar arrays, gas lines and a large-scale power-production facility. According to Archer, the expected benefits of the natural gas lines project will include an annual income to the joint base of $50,000, increased gas supply security and providing aid to local communities. The expected benefit of the solar array is an approximate annual income of $250,000 to the joint base. "Pushing the envelope on energy resilience solutions is important," said Ballentine. "We need to provide mission assurance through energy assurance."