Teaming Up to Throttle Back

by Airman Connor J. Marth
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/16/2014 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (Oct. 14, 2014) --
Every second hundreds of gallons of water pour over the edge and fall more than 75 feet before crashing into the turbines below. At the C.J. Strike Dam energy is created by the tremendous power of water.

However, with the demand for energy rising, the hydroelectric plant alone is not enough to keep the region running.

Consuming an average of 5 million kilowatts per hour of energy each month, Mountain Home Air Force Base is one of the most prominent energy consumers in the Treasure Valley region. However, it only consumes less than one-third of the Hydro Electric plants energy output.

"It's not just the base, it's the region as a whole," said Joseph Armstrong, the 366th Squadron energy manager. "Idaho Power cannot create enough energy from the hydro electric plant alone; we need everyone to try to throttle back on using energy."

While the base may not be the only place where energy can be conserved, support from high energy use areas could lessen the load on the C.J. Strike Dam.  Throttling the use of energy on the weekends or while not in the home allows Idaho Power to keep rates low, conserve water and help keep money in the state of Idaho.

"If housing along with your hangars and commercial buildings on base practiced simple energy saving measures, it could reduce your base energy bill by tens of thousands every month," said Steve Floyd, Idaho Power Major Customer Representative.  "That goes a long way toward using your money elsewhere."

With more money at the base's disposal, new renovations and improvements can be made to facilities, events and workplaces base-wide. The benefits made possible by this extra revenue could make quite a difference in quality of life for those living and working on base.

"This money we save goes back to the base," said Armstrong. "It's used to make residents and visitors lives more comfortable through renovation and improvement of base facilities."

Programs put on by base energy management offer opportunities for families to help get the most out of energy conservation.  One of the best ways for base housing to contribute is to participate in the Energy Management summer event known as the FlexPeak program.  The event is designed to lower energy consumption during times of peak demand.

"Through the FlexPeak Program we are supporting the regional grid, we are reducing our energy consumption and are in essence helping Idaho Power to not have to go onto the public grid and purchase other power at a higher cost," said Armstrong. "If Idaho Power has to purchase public energy then that cost will be passed onto its consumers."

With help from Idaho Power and Base Energy Management, MHAFB can continue to live comfortably while reducing its energy intake.

"It's all about using our resources wisely, in order to do that, we have to establish good habits," said Armstrong. "Mountain Home Air Force base has done an excellent job in the last 10 years and is helping to prevent grid blackouts, shortages, and higher cost of utilities."