The month of October has been declared as Energy Action Month on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
The Army observes Energy Action Month each October, and the theme this year is energy resilience.
According to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Department of Public Works Energy Manager Bill Lucas, energy resilience is defined as “the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions and withstand, respond to and recover rapidly from utility disruptions.”
“There’s two focuses here — one is on energy resiliency, which is the ability to respond to emergencies — both natural and man-made,” Lucas said. “If we get another derecho or a hurricane, we have to be able to access the water and electric and the gas supplies to keep the base operational.”
Lucas also said the Army is committed to provide access to energy by implementing policies and energy projects that add reliable, diverse, and redundant energy sources to JBM-HH. He added base energy accomplishments include the Radnor Heights electrical substation and an upgraded pumping station for an independent water source from Washington Aqueduct.
Lucas said DPW is also exploring avenues and plans to keep utilities flowing in the future.
“The future planning includes use of existing electric generators to feed 100 percent of Fort Myer during a loss of electricity,” Lucas mentioned. “Also, a microgrid concept plan for Myer would allow Fort Myer to be isolated from the main electric power grid if the grid fails to create an electric grid island.”
Energy conservation is also emphasized by the Department of Public Works. Watching and monitoring thermostats, limiting personal, portable heaters, and turning off office equipment and lights are all hints Soldiers, Marines, and joint base staff can follow.
Lucas said additional energy-saving ideas can be found on the Department of Energy website https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/home-energy-checklist.
The energy manager added all members of the JBM-HH community and the Military District of Washington can submit energy saving ideas to his office in Bldg. 313.
Pentagram Staff Writer Jim Dresbach can be reached at jdresbach@dcmilitary.com.