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Facility managers aid resource conservation

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  In 2009, Sheppard spent an average $41,556 a day on electricity, natural gas, water, and waste water, equating to $290,892 a week or $15 million for the year. Each of the buildings on Sheppard has a facility manager who has certain responsibilities for helping conserve these resources. Facility managers are appointed to the position and take on the responsibility of keeping buildings in repair and compliant with installation directives.

Glynn Batla, 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron resource efficiency manager, said facility managers act as a funnel for resource conservation concerns.

"The facility manager acts as a source for obtaining energy conservation opportunities, issues or comments to the appropriate sources for action," Mr. Batla said.

Tech. Sgt. Nathan Folden, 882nd Training Support Squadron facility manager, said facility managers have an important role in supporting good conservation habits.

"As facility managers, we pass along information for everyone in the facility to make sure they turn off lights and water when not in use," Sergeant Folden said. "We also ask them to keep air conditioning and heating fans on low when no one is in the office or room.

"If anyone sees any problems with malfunctioning equipment or broken equipment, we ask that they report the findings to their facility manager immediately so a work order can be submitted to fix it," he said. "This includes leaky pipes, broken windows and reporting building lights that are on during the day."

Mr. Batla said facility managers are the best source for getting these issues fixed, but everyone on Team Sheppard needs to help with identifying wasted resources.

"From airman to general, building manager to civilian contract worker, we all share in energy and water conservation responsibilities," he said. "This helps ensure that Team Sheppard is the number one ally in support of meeting and exceeding federally mandated energy intensity reduction goals."

Mike McKito, 82nd Training Wing Headquarters facility manager, said he makes sure to turn off any light or computer monitors he sees not being used.

"There is no reason to have lights and monitors on when nobody is in the room," he said. "I do the same thing at my home. If I leave a room, the light goes out."

Mr. Batla said by working together to conserve energy and resources, Team Sheppard saves the government money.

Some ways everyone on Sheppard AFB can help conserve resources include:
  • Complying with the installation commander's policy on temperature settings by maintaining 70 - 78 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the season.
  • Keeping all doors and windows closed and report air leaks or weather stripping in need of repair.
  • Turning off all unused lights and equipment.
  • Ensuring ground watering follows published guidance and does not saturate to the point of run-off.
Every building has the contact information for the facility manager posted. Contact the building manager to report any issues in their building so the problem can be swiftly resolved.