WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Seven Department of the Navy commands were recognized for exemplary achievements at the Secretary of the Navy Energy and Water Management Awards ceremony Oct. 12, held at the U.S. Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center.
Under Secretary of the Navy Robert Work, who represented Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at the annual event, 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.
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen attended and presented an award to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for its achievements in energy.
The accomplishments of these commands directly contribute to increased energy security, conserving precious and vulnerable natural resources, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing America's dependence on fossil fuels.
"We must change the way we approach energy because it makes us better war fighters. We must find alternative options for fueling our fleet and we must be more efficient about the energy we use on ships, aircraft, and ashore, because doing so will make us a more effective fighting force," said Work. "The reasons are strategic, the reasons are tactical, and the reasons are essential to our national security."
The Department of the Navy (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. Nearly 10 percent of DON shore energy consumption comes from alternative sources.
Seven Navy and Marine Corps commands were recognized for exemplary energy and water savings which resulted in combined energy savings in 2010 of more than 776,100 million British thermal units (MBtu), enough power for more than 7,684 homes for an entire year. The commands brought new renewable energy systems on line that produce 14,300 MBtu per year, equal to the energy requirements of 142 homes. Water savings were more than 100 million gallons, equivalent to 156 Olympic-size swimming pools. Cost avoidance in 2010 topped more than $18.5 million.
This year's Navy and Marine Corps energy and water management award winners are:
• Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.: Navy Large Shore Category
• Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece: Navy Small Shore Category
• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine: Industrial Category
• Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif.: Marine Corps Large Shore Category
• Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga.: Marine Corps Small Shore Category
• USS Bataan (LHD 5): Large Ship Category
• USS Hopper (DDG 70): 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, 44 gold and 39 blue commands were also recognized during the ceremony.
Work emphasized the DON's aggressive energy and water consumption goals laid out two 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:
• Energy Efficient Acquisition: Evaluation of energy factors will be mandatory when awarding contracts for systems and buildings;
• Sail the "Great Green Fleet": DON will demonstrate a Green Strike Group in local operations by 2012 and 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 alter