Naval Air Station Whidbey Island hosted an Energy Awareness 2009 kickoff event at the Navy Whidbey Recycle center, Nov. 5.

The kickoff promoted education and awareness of energy conservation and recycling, as well as informing attendees of continual energy saving integrations the base is implementing. The event also served as the start of the countdown to America Recycles Day 2009, Nov. 15.

This year, NAS Whidbey Island’s conservation efforts were recognized as they were one of eight installations to receive Secretary of the Navy Fiscal Year 2009 Platinum Level Energy Achievement, Oct. 27. This marks second time NAS Whidbey Island has been presented with the award.

“In 2003 we set a baseline for reduction of our energy consumption. By 2015 we are supposed to be 30 percent less than our 2003 baseline. Everyone at Whidbey are doing an awesome job. We’re already at 27 percent reduction for 2010, so we’ve got five more years to get that other three percent,” said Capt. Gerral David, NAS Whidbey Island commanding officer. “We’re doing pretty well with the things that we’re doing; we’re paying attention to the right things.”

One area of improvement for the base is a decrease in utilities spending from $6 million in 2007 to $5.25 million this year.

“I think it’s important if the general public hears about it for them to see that we’re trying to spend their dollars wisely while still providing the services necessary to keep the men and women of the service doing their job,” said Jeff Hrovat, NAS Whidbey Island resource efficiency manager.

Pending projects for 2010, which are projected to save approximately $180,000, include skylighting in certain buildings for less light usage, transpired solar walls, radiant heat units in warehouses, and ground source heat buffers for geothermal heating in Navy Gateway Inns and Suites.

“I need all of you, and by all of you I mean the 10,000 people who work on this base, to pay attention when you hear good ideas because we’re willing to experiment a little,” said David. “We’re willing to be that incubator for good ideas for the rest of our Navy and we’re just getting started.”