Base energy campaign making great strides, but journey incomplete Published Aug. 1, 2008 By Amanda Creel 78 ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, GA -- As the summer heat continues to rise, members of the Robins Energy team are urging Team Robins to answer Commander Kill A Watt's call to battle. "August is traditionally the hottest month so we really have to focus on waste control as the temperatures rise," said Judah Bradley, a Robins energy manager. Since the energy awareness campaign went into full swing just before the Memorial Day holiday, the office has already seen a decrease in energy usage. In June, energy use was reduced by 10.26 percent in comparison to energy use in June 2007. After two months of energy awareness efforts, members of the energy team are thrilled with the decline in unnecessary energy use so far, but said the battle against rising energy costs and wasteful energy use has just begun. "It's important to make the effort every day, every weekend, anytime you are not here," said Dave Bury, Robins energy manager. The team was quick to point out there have already been a few successes in the energy battle. Both the Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays are great examples of the success of the Robins community's energy awareness efforts. On the two holidays, there was a 35 percent reduction in energy use compared to an average Robins workday. This was a 16 percent reduction in comparison to the previous Memorial Day and a 12 percent reduction from the previous Independence Day. "Our Memorial Day and July 4th holidays used the lowest amount of electricity in six years compared to previous holidays," Mr. Bury said. During both holidays, the team surveyed various areas and was able to see the efforts of Team Robins throughout the base. Though Mr. Bury said it is important for the Robins community to remember the energy battle doesn't stop when we return to work it is a day in and day out struggle. "This is not just a holiday thing. We need to be conscious energy consumers every day," Mr. Bury said. The energy team agreed it was hard to measure exactly what actions are making the difference, but the team said the numbers are on a downward spiral, which means whatever the community is doing is working. "These small steps are making a big difference. People are turning off lights and computer monitors and unplugging things and it shows," Mr. Bradley said. Though the base is on the right track by continuing to weed out unnecessary energy use, the battle is not just against energy waste. The energy team is also dealing with the rise of energy prices. "Our utility bills are rising at an alarming rate," Mr. Bradley said. "Our consumption decrease is helping us avoid some of the sharply rising utility bills." The pair agreed that the numbers indicate Robins is on the right path and should continue the present energy conservation efforts. "We just ask members of Team Robins to continue making the effort, because together we can make a difference," Mr. Bradley said.