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Partner Profile

U.S. Air Force
Location	Washington, DC
Organization Type	Govt. (Federal)
Percentage Green Power	5%
Organization-wide Purchase	Yes
Awards/Recognition	Green Power Leadership Award 2004, Green Power Leadership Award 2008, Partner of the Year 2003, Partner of the Year 2005
Environmental Web Page
Partner Profile The United States Air Force's green power purchase is roughly equivalent to the annual power needs of 90,000 homes. The green power commitments made by each U.S. Air Force base participating in the Green Power Partnership are highlighted below: Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, with a workforce of more than 4,000 and home of the 27th Fighter Wing, began purchasing wind power in 2002, thanks to a funding appropriation of $500,000 from Congress earmarked for wind power purchases at Air Force bases across the country. Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, a 2003 Green Power Partner of the Year, was the largest purchaser of green power at a single site in the nation in 2003. A competitively awarded energy supply contract issued by the Defense Energy Support Center was modified to provide 100 percent wind-generated electricity, making all of the base's electrical power pollution-free. Dyess was the first U.S. Air Force Base to purchase renewable power and join the Green Power Partnership Program. Edwards Air Force base in California currently purchases enough green power to meet 60 percent of its power needs. In addition to demonstrating its strong environmental leadership, the base has also achieved financial benefits associated with the use of green power. For example, the base's green power purchase significantly mitigated the energy price increases associated with the 2001 California energy crisis. The base estimates that its 5-year purchase agreement has saved $42 million. Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota is home to the 28th Bomb Wing. The base is purchasing the output from a 750 KW wind turbine owned and operated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe for its first five years of operation, beginning in 2003. Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, is home of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing and to the 336th Training Group. Fairchild's green power purchase covers nearly 100 percent of its total electricity usage. The main driver behind the base's purchase was to support wind farms in the region. Fairchild is proud of its reputation as a good steward of both the environment and taxpayers' dollars. The base feels its commitment is a cost-effective way to support renewable energy while meeting the goals of Executive Orders calling on federal agencies to purchase their electricity from clean energy sources. Goodfellow Air Force Base, home to the 17th Training Wing, is located near the west Texas community of San Angelo. The base joined the Green Power Partnership in 2003 and meets 40 percent of its electricity needs with power generated from biomass sources. Hill Air Force Base is an Air Force Materiel Command base located in northern Utah. The base is purchasing nine million kWh annually of wind energy certificates, which is equivalent to more than 3 percent of the installations electricity load. "We are doing everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint at Hill," said David Abbott, Hill AFB utility manager. "We also have a presidential mandate to have 5 percent of our energy come from renewable sources by 2012. This agreement with Rocky Mountain Power helps us meet that goal ahead of schedule." Since 2003, Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas has purchased electricity generated from wind power. Minot Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota purchases green power to meet over 65 percent of the base's annual electricity load. The green power, which is being purchased from a local utility, is supplied by two newly constructed wind turbines located just south of Minot. The base's commitment is the result of efforts by Senator Byron Dorgan, who was instrumental in providing an opportunity for the Air Force to purchase the renewable energy. "I am proud to have been able to use my seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide funds for the purchase of wind-generated electricity by the Air Force in North Dakota and elsewhere," Dorgan said. "We need to add more clean and renewable sources of energy to the nation's energy mix, so this is a really smart choice for the Air Force that will pay dividends in many ways." Colonel James Rowland, commander of the Minot Air Force Base, added, "We are very proud to be part of this significant project along with the cooperatives. It is a step forward in renewable energy development and will benefit the entire region." Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas is home to the 82nd Training Wing and the 80th Flying Training Wing. The base began purchasing green power in 2003 and is now purchasing for 45 percent of its annual electricity consumption.

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