August is Energy Conservation Month at Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Angela Ruiz
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  This month, every Airman, Solider and civilian at Kunsan Air Base has the power to save the 8th Fighter Wing thousands of dollars, according to one Wolf Pack member. 

August is energy conservation month at Kunsan. Normally observed in October, the month was moved to August here at the suggestion of Lenard Greer, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron resource efficiency manager. From July through the end of August the Korean Electric Power Company charges everyone in the Republic of Korea summer time rate, which is higher than the normal rate. According to Mr. Greer, energy consumption is at its highest during August. This usage is used to calculate the next year's electricity rate. 

"If there is going to be one time of the year you turn things off, August is the time to do it!" Said Mr. Greer. "Every Airman, anybody with a light switch, anybody with microwave, especially anybody who lives in a dorm room, we really want them to turn off their lights before they go to work" 

In the summer months every Kunsan AB resident can have a greater effect on the use of energy than in the winter months. The reasoning being that in the winter months the Civil Engineering Squadron maintains the heating and ventilations systems for the base controlling the use of energy. 

"August is the best month to talk about energy conservations because everyone can make a difference" said Mr. Greer. In the summer months he suggests Airmen control the amount of energy they use by double checking their lights before walking out the door, eating cold cuts for lunch instead of cooking soup, or changing light bulbs from incandescent light bulbs to compact florescent bulbs. The compact florescent light bulbs project the same amount of light but use one third less power and last about 10 times longer than a incandescent light bulb, said Mr. Greer. Airmen on base can get the compact florescent light bulbs at the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron's self help store free of charge. 

According to Mr. Greer, Kunsan saw a saving of $47 thousand just from people turning things off. The money saved, he said, can then be returned to programs that directly affect Kunsan residents' quality of life. 

"The wiser we use our money the more pressure it takes off our Moral, Welfare and Recreation budgets," said Mr. Greer. 

August is a key month when it comes to determining how much Kunsan AB pays for electricity. But it's something every Wolf Pack member can assist with if they remember to "turn things off," he said. 

While it may not show up on an Enlisted Performance Report, help when meeting a promotion board, or even result in an increase in pay, according to Kunsan's resource efficiency manager every dollar saved on energy is a dollar that could be spent on making life at the Wolf Pack a little bit better.