Assistant Navy Secretary Tours Energy, Waste Facilities on Guantanamo

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leona Mynes

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations, and Environment), the Honorable Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, visited Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 26-27.

Pfannenstiel toured NS Guantanamo Bay's energy production and waste management facilities to better understand how the isolated base creates its own electricity and water without help from local resources.

"This is a unique base and it's hard to understand it from afar," said Pfannenstiel. "I have come to Guantanamo Bay to better understand the mission, and to learn about the facilities and how the Secretariat can help advance energy initiatives here."

Pfannenstiel learned about Guantanamo's energy and water production at the reverse osmosis water plant, electricity production at the power plant, renewable energy sources atop John Paul Jones Hill where four, 242-foot tall wind turbines are located and waste management and removal facilities at the base land fill.

"The Navy recognizes that we have a national need to wean ourselves from imported oil products," said Pfannenstiel. "Guantanamo Bay offers a lot of interesting ways to implement renewable energy sources and I want to make sure that the energy efforts being made here are supported."

Guantanamo's efforts began in 2004 when the wind turbines were constructed, marking the beginning of its quest toward a greener future.

Guantanamo could potentially become the example for how the average American town relies solely on 'green' technology and renewable energy sources, said Pfannenstiel.

"[Guantanamo] could be a model for what can be done—but we cannot be indifferent to cost; we must advocate for what is [fiscally responsible]" said Pfannenstiel. "Energy is expensive here in Guantanamo, which makes [implementing] green technology and renewable energy sources much more cost effective here."

Some of the steps Guantanamo could take toward becoming the model for an American 'green' city include replacing diesel with eco-friendly bio-fuels and continuing the construction of solar arrays and use of wind power, said Pfannenstiel.

"Another [renewable energy source] the Navy is looking at is waste-to-energy conversion," said Pfannenstiel. "Waste-to-energy is ideal for military bases in general, especially islands."

The people on Guantanamo are mission-focused, driven and committed to the base's success, said Pfannenstiel.

"I expect that I'll be back," said Pfannenstiel.