October -- Energy Awareness Month Published Sept. 28, 2010 5th Civil Engineer Squadron MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Once again, summer has come to an end. October has come around again, and it is time to think about energy awareness. Minot AFB, one of Air Force Global Strike Command's five installations, has done well in lowering energy consumption during the past few years, but there is plenty of room for improvement. Presidential Executive Order 13514 set energy reduction goals for all federal agencies. The overall objective is to reduce energy intensity by three percent each year from 2005 through 2015, or 30 percent overall. As of the end of August, Minot AFB was already nearing its annual goal, an incredible feat for the base. Much of the savings is due to upgrades to aged and inefficient systems. To date, the base's energy department has utilized new technologies such as ground source heat pumps, night setback comfort controls, low flow shower heads and faucets and more efficient lighting. But energy awareness is not only about utilizing the latest most efficient technologies. It is also becoming aware of habit changes that can drastically affect energy consumption. It is the Air Force's vision to make energy conservation a process in which all its folks do. The 5th Civil Engineer Squadron encourages everyone to make an effort throughout energy awareness month and, in fact, all year long, to make green choices in their everyday activities. Program thermostats to set back during unoccupied hours, unplug unneeded tools and appliances, and of course, turn off the lights nobody is in a room.