Journal honors base's green efforts Published Aug. 20, 2010 By Patrick Desmond 502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- An honor three years in the making, Lackland AFB was recently named a recipient of the San Antonio Business Journal's 2010 Going Green award, distinguishing the installation from a pool of about 100 nominated local businesses. In an Aug. 13 Business Jounral article, Lackland AFB was highlighted, along with 16 other San Antonio businesses, for its conscientious efforts to save the planet. Donna Tuttle, San Antonio Business Journal Project coordinator said winning organizations have to display "real, measurable results" in its green efforts. "Lackland AFB's dramatic energy savings helped place its name among the winners," Ms. Tuttle said. Overall, Lackland's energy expenditure was reduced by 13 percent during the 2009 award period, helping the base save $1,879,468 during its fiscal year and avoid producing 606 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Andy Hinojosa, 802nd Civil Engineer Squadron base energy manager said "base-wide initiatives, which took three years to plan, implement and execute - reduced the base's annual energy demand." In confronting the need to reduce energy, the 802nd CES energy team targeted areas needing improvement, came up with solutions to increase efficiency and also examined options for feasible renewable energy projects. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, and light and water fixtures were either replaced or improved in approximately 1,200 buildings on base. HVAC systems in five facilities were converted from multi-zone to variable air volume units, further increasing energy efficiency. Two air conditioning units were replaced along with cooling towers, pumps, motors and an overhaul of the electrical system that powers it. The retrofitting of more than 33,675 light fixtures in buildings around the base was one of the easier measurable energy saving solutions, Mr. Hinojosa said. The light fixtures, including new bulbs, lamps and ballasts, reduced the base's electricity usage by more than 2 million watts. They also saved City Public Service Energy more than $2 million and earned Lackland a $1.1 million rebate in March of last year. Low-flow water faucets and showerheads, hands-free sink faucets and low-water usage toilets were installed in 116 buildings. Two major innovations were the construction of an 800,000-gallon thermal storage chilled water tank which feeds chilled water through facilities to cool its interior, and the installation of solar panels outside the Skylark Aquatic Center on Lackland AFB. The tank also chills water at night to avoid the process during hot afternoons and expensive peak priced hours. The Skylark Aquatic Center's solar panel array produces renewable energy to supplement the heat provided by boilers that warm the pool's water. The initiatives are part of the energy team's plan for reducing energy use by 3 percent annually, following a 10-year federal mandate which began in 2006. Mr. Hinojosa said he was somewhat surprised when he heard the good news but was pleased to be recognized within the business community. "We have done quite a bit," he said. "We're excited to have more interface with the business community." The base has earned several awards in the past for its conservation efforts in the past, from organizations such as the San Antonio Water System and City Public Service. But as for Mr. Hinojosa -- whose job it is to measure energy use and then manage it -- he would just as soon get back to work. "It's kind of nice to see that the base energy team is recognized," he said. "But for the most part, results, for me, are always better."