SECNAV Honors Leadership in Energy and Water Efficiency

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Eight Department of the Navy (DoN) commands were recognized for exemplary achievements at the annual Secretary of the Navy Energy and Water Management Awards ceremony Oct. 3, held at the U.S. Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus recognized select commands for leading the DoN in reducing energy and water consumption, increasing use of renewable energy sources and constructing sustainable facilities, all while maintaining mission readiness.

"These awards demonstrate the progress that we have made in the last three and a half years to change the way we think about and the way we produce and use energy," said Mabus. "We are working towards these energy goals to help us become a more effective military force to help us accomplish the mission that the nation gives us."

The DoN is cultivating a culture of energy efficiency on shore and at sea resulting in enhanced energy readiness and innovation. DoN is a widely recognized leader in renewable energy production. Equivalent of 19 percent of DoN shore electricity consumption comes from alternative sources.

Eight Navy and Marine Corps commands were recognized for exemplary energy and water savings which resulted in combined energy savings in 2011 of more than 418,500 million British thermal units (MBtu), enough energy for more than 4,144 homes for an entire year. The commands brought new renewable energy systems on line that produce 48,700 MBtu per year, equal to the energy requirements of 482 homes per year. Water savings were more than 37.5 million gallons, equivalent to 57 Olympic-size swimming pools. Cost avoidance in 2011 topped more than $16.7 million.

This year's Navy and Marine Corps energy and water management award winners are:
* Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii: Navy Large Shore Category
* Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy: Navy Small Shore Category
* Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.: Marine Corps Large Shore Category
* Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga.: Marine Corps Small Shore Category
* Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, Wash.: Other Shore Category
* USS Makin Island (LHD 8): Large Ship Category
* USS Philippine Sea (CG 58): Medium Ship Category
* USS Klakring (FFG 42): Small Ship Category

Navy commands undergo a rigorous evaluation of their overall energy and water management performance and are ranked according to a system of SECNAV award winners, then platinum, gold or blue level of achievement. Ten platinum, 51 gold and 36 blue commands were also recognized during the ceremony.

Mabus emphasized DoN's aggressive energy and water consumption goals laid out three years ago. These five goals strengthen the strategic, tactical and operational capabilities of the Navy and Marine Corps while enhancing environmental stewardship:

The DoN's five energy goals are:
* Increase Alternative Energy Use DoN-Wide: By 2020, 50 percent of total DoN energy consumption will come from alternative sources;
* Sail the "Great Green Fleet": DoN demonstrated a Green Strike Group in local operations in 2012 and will sail it by 2016;
* Reduce Non-Tactical Petroleum Use: By 2015; DoN will reduce petroleum use in the commercial vehicle fleet by 50 percent;
* Energy Ashore: By 2020, DoN will produce at least 50 percent of shore-based energy requirements from alternative sources; 50 percent of DoN installations will be net-zero; and
* Energy Efficient Acquisition: Evaluation of energy factors will be mandatory when awarding contracts for systems and buildings.

"We have energy goals that we want to achieve and because of the courage, bold actions and innovations of our winners today, we will achieve these goals," said Mabus. "We are on the path to create a new energy future that will increase the security of this country because that is what the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps have always done."

For more news on U.S. Department of the Navy Energy, visit http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil.