Eddie Hunt, installation energy manager at the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, was recently named an Energy Champion in the Department of Energy’s Energy Management Program.  The award recognizes federal employees who have made extraordinary contributions to energy savings efforts. Hunt was recognized for his efforts in a local program that will capture methane gas generated naturally at the Fleming/Gaissert Road Landfill and use cutting-edge technology to convert it into 1.9 megawatts of usable energy for the base.

The power will go to the base’s maintenance center on weekdays.  It uses approximately four megawatts per day.  On weekends whenthe center doesn’t use as much energy, power will be diverted to the base.  Groundbreaking on the project is scheduled for later this year.

The landfill gas project is part of the MCLB’s efforts to achieve a 30 percent reduction by 2015 in energy consumption and increased use of renewable energy, a target set by the Department of Defense for all its facilities.  Hunt’s next major energy-saving project will be the conversion of more than 18,000 light fixtures on the base to energy-efficient lighting.

Hunt shared the following tips on how to implement a successful energy efficiency program in a facility or organization:


• The most important factor in any energy conservation effort is to have all members of the team committed to saving energy.  No program will be successful without total commitment.  You can achieve total commitment by educating team members on the importance of conservation and the impact their efforts can have on reducing energy consumption.

• Set a goal for energy savings for your organization.  I believe the 30 percent goal set by the government is achievable for all efforts.  If you aim low, you will hit low.

• Prioritize your energy efficiency efforts like you would any other business initiative.  Quantify the savings a project can generate, the investment required and the amount of time it will take to recoup that investment.  Set your priorities based on the amount of funding you have available to support your energy conservation program.

• If you are considering launching an energy-efficiency program, do some research to see what energy conservation measures are best suited to your facility or organization.  In addition to educating your workforce and setting an achievable goal, be sure to include a measurement and verification plan to track energy savings.


You can learn more Energy Savings Tips on business.gov, a website that links businesses to resources within the federal government.  More information on Eddie Hunt and the landfill gas project at MCLB is available in the 2/25/10 issue of The Emblem, the MCLB newspaper.

About Barbara Kieker

Barbara Kieker is a freelance writer who writes on business-related topics for a number of web-based properties. She also provides communications services to Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses and nonprofit organizations.