Barksdale hosts E4 team to begin model energy base initiative Published June 14, 2007 By Stephanie Bemrose The Bombardier BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- One is hot, one is cold; one is Air Mobility Command and one is Air Combat Command - but McGuire AFB, N.J., and Barks-dale have one important similarity: they were both chosen as model bases for an energy initiative. Members of the Energy Efficiency Expert Evaluation team visited base this week to inspect 26 buildings, about 17 percent of Barksdale's facilities, to look for no-cost and low-cost means to improve energy efficiency of existing areas. Col. Daniel Charchian, 2d Bomb Wing commander, is proud that Barksdale hosted the team. "I'm glad Barksdale was chosen as a part of this historic model energy base initiative to forecast energy-saving solutions for the entire Air Force," the commander said. Barksdale has already done an outstanding job meeting previous energy mandates from 1986 through 2005 by about two percent more than required for a total of $18 million in cost avoidance, according to Col. Michael Rocchetti, E4 team member. Cost avoidance is important to maintain the Air Force's mission in the Global War On Terrorism, said Lt. Col. Brian Weidmann, E4 team coordinator. "It all ties back to supporting the warfighter," the colonel said. Colonel Weidmann and Colonel Rocchetti compared the necessary cultural change regarding energy consumption to that which led to the popularity of recycling. "It used to be that no one looked for a place to put the soda can other than the garbage and we want the same change with energy consumption," Colonel Weidmann said. "It's not just about having more efficient equipment but a behavioral change to accompany that." Colonel Rocchetti explained that out of the total Air Force budget of $130 billion, $7 billion is delegated for energy, $6 billion of which is for aviation fuel and $1 billion is for facilities. Barksdale spends $7 million annually on facility energy alone. "Although this is a fairly small slice of the pie, we need to bring attention to it because the supply worldwide is dwindling," Colonel Rocchetti said. Besides economic considerations, there are also national security implications. "There is a national importance to develop our own resources and diversify our resources, while using technology and science to develop ways to reduce our demand," Colonel Rocchetti said. Colonel Rocchetti and Colonel Weidmann emphasized that energy conservation should be a grass-roots effort. "The simple message is that we have to make energy efficiency a consideration in all that we do," Colonel Rocchetti said. "It really adds up - six million dollars on electricity, of which a third is for heating and air conditioning systems, a third is for lighting and a third is for plug loads, which is everything plugged into a wall." The wing commander also believes Barksdale will help lead the way towards a greener Air Force. "We can show that Team Barksdale remains committed to finding new energy conservation methods to help the Air Force cut energy costs," he concluded.