Photo By Edzel Butac | Paul Farnan, third from left, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army...... read more read more
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Tacoma Public Utilities representatives visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord to present a check of over $2 million in energy savings over a five-year period on Oct. 18.
“This check for $2,126,428 represents a total of incentive funding of everything that we’ve done for the past five years,” said Steve Bicker, senior manager of customer energy programs at TPU. “We haven’t done this alone; we have worked very much in partnership with the Bonneville Power Administration and other federal agencies. It’s a relationship we want to continue to nurture in the future so we can find new ways to save energy and efficiency. We’re committed to the relationship.”
A variety of energy-efficiency type projects have been completed over the past three decades including lighting retrofits, heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements, compressed air system upgrades and standby generator block heater retrofits. Since 2017, most electric energy savings achieved at JBLM – for which Tacoma Power has provided incentives – have come from lighting retrofits, according to TPU.
Paul Farnan, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment), who advises Army leadership on energy security and management, participated in the check presentation. Farnan was visiting JBLM for a base-wide environmental conservation overview to learn how JBLM saves energy while increasing resiliency, and he also visited Soldiers barracks and family housing.
“Utility (energy resilience) is absolutely a vital part in everything we do,” Farnan said. “So I love the partnership that you have formed here and it’s going to continue and it’s definitely a model for the country -- so fantastic and I’m thrilled to be here.
“The Army needs to be 100% resilience at all our installations. We need to be able to power our systems. The less we have to power, the quicker we get to that 100% resilience, so everything that you’re doing is good for the economy.”
Farnan said that’s the reason and necessity of a strong partnership with JBLM and TPU.
“It’s saving money, but more importantly it’s helping the Army mission of ensuring our success to be able to project our power and get our forces out the door where they are most needed,” Farnan said. “I say this to every installation I go to – it is so important that you are linked hand in hand.”
JBLM and Tacoma Power have maintained a strong partnership and collaboration on energy efficiency projects for decades, dating back to the 1990s.
“Not only have we worked right with them in the past and currently to get these dollars reinvested in future projects, but we also develop projects with them, and they’re just a great team to work with,” said Matthew Schreck, JBLM energy program manager.
Lamb said the continued collaboration with TPU will help JBLM reach its resiliency goals.
“That’s probably the most exciting aspect of it -- where we’ve been, but where we’re going to be beyond some alternatives that help with building the Department of Defense’s resilience in the future,” Lamb said.
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2022 18:14 |
| Story ID: | 431671 |
| Location: | TACOMA, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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