Energy conservation efforts help bass save money Published Sept. 12, 2008 By Staff Sergeant Vann Miller 78 ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, GA -- Efforts by members of the Robins community to conserve energy are paying off. Base officials recently announced a reduction of more than $900,000 during the months of March through August, thanks to Teams Robins' efforts to reduce the base's energy impact on Middle Georgia. The recorded period of savings is based on a reduced usage of 13,400,000 fewer kilowatt hours during those months compared to 2007. This energy reduction event is part of a "When We're Not Here" campaign designed to be an initiative to make Team Robins become more energy conscious and a better steward of the environment, according to Jeane Paris, a member of the energy team here. "We started our awareness campaign with holiday weekends," Arthur Howard, 78th Air Base Wing energy office program manager. "People focused their attention on reducing energy usage by doing things such as turning things off when they went home to adjusting air conditioning set points. This proved that energy use can be reduced with people practicing good energy habits. Now, we are striving to reduce energy every day, just as we did during the holiday weekends." One of the most beneficial effects noted during this period of reduced energy use was the fact that there was no impact on mission accomplishment "The reduction was achieved without any impact to the mission or safety,'" Mr. Howard said. He said conserving energy will have positive effects in more than one area. "Wasting energy is wasting money, damaging the environment and making the base less competitive," Mr. Howard said. "Reducing energy use is a win/win situation for our nation, our community, and each individual." Base officials want to remind members here that not only is reducing energy the law, it is the right thing to do. "Just like at home, if Robins' energy bills are more than expected, the money has to come from somewhere else," Mr. Howard said.