Robins AFB, Ga. -- Robins signed a Green Energy contract with Georgia Power to purchase three percent of the base's annual kilowatt-hour consumption or 9.9 million kwh.

The base contracted to purchase 825,500 kwhs a month for more than $37,000 from Georgia Power. Under the contract, Robins will be the largest participant in Georgia Power's Green Energy program, committing to purchase more than 40 percent of the current renewable energy supply.

The increase in cost - based on the use of Green Energy compared to Robin's present energy cost - is nominal, with an increase in total costs of about two percent, said David Hopper, Robins resource efficiency manager.

The purchase will meet the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requirement to use renewable energy for three percent of Robins' energy consumption in fiscal 2007. The Act requires the base to use renewable energy for five percent of the base's energy by fiscal 2010, 7.5 percent by fiscal 2013 and 25 percent by fiscal 2025.

"We're extremely proud to support Robins in meeting its renewable energy goals through Georgia Power's Green Energy Program," said David Dykes, Georgia Power's federal segment manager. "Their participation is a huge commitment toward the deployment of renewable energy in the Southeast and a clear demonstration of the Air Force's commitment to renewable energy. This action raises awareness of the importance Green Energy plays in protecting our environment now and into the future."

The requirement to use renewable energy helps reduce dependence on finite resources such as oil and uses resources that can be used over and over, said Paul Kelley, 78th Civil Engineer Squadron director.

"It encourages the discovery of new types of energy and helps us not be dependent on foreign oil or foreign energy products," Mr. Kelley said. "It stimulates the local economic growth, while using a cleaner energy."

Mr. Hopper said the utilization of green energy improves energy sustainability and energy security by providing another source of supply.

Some of the other types of renewable energy Robins is considering implementing to meet future renewable energy requirements include solar, wind, biomass and geothermal. The base is also exploring the possibility of producing renewable energy here at Robins rather than purchasing the renewable energy.

The base has already applied for funding to use geothermal energy to heat and cool billeting areas on base to help continue to meet green energy use requirements.

Along with using renewable energy, Executive Order 13423 requires the base to reduce energy consumption by three percent annually which would be a savings of approximately $1.08 million. The mandate will result in a 30 percent reduction by fiscal 2015.

However, Mr. Kelley and Mr. Hopper agreed the base's final energy consumption may still see an increase due to continued growth on the base, such as the addition of the large aircraft corrosion control hanger, Bldg. 359.