Though the United States Army might fill the popular imagination as a slow-moving, bureaucratic entity, when the situation demands it, that same behemoth is capable of moving with incredible purpose and agility. Faced with the challenge of increasing energy costs and a warming planet, the Army’s comprehensive response should serve as a model for energy conservation and carbon reduction for organizations worldwide.

Historically, the Army has a positive record on the environment. Teddy Roosevelt, widely known for advancing environmental protection and reigning in the excesses of big business, secured his place in the national consciousness during his Army service in the Spanish American war. The Army Corps of Engineers, meanwhile, has been managing and protecting America’s waterways since the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.

But even with that history of environmental stewardship, a sea change swept over the Army on January 24th, 2007, when President Bush issued Executive Order 13423.  According to an Environmental Management System Support Contractor who declined to be identified, “The order is what most of the military runs on, and everyone on the base is aware of it.  It directs that we reduce energy, use post-consumer content and look for alternative fuels.”  

Just over a year and a half since its inception, the impact of the Executive Order can be seen everywhere at Fort Eustis. From the labeling of post-consumer products in the PX, to the CFL and LED lighting systems throughout the base offices, to low-flow showerheads and toilets in base housing, the concerted effort to reduce and reuse has left no stone unturned. Families living on the base are even given a consumption threshold; beyond that point energy and water use must be covered out-of-pocket.

As the home of the Army Transportation Corps, the Executive Order has made Fort Eustis home to a variety of cleaner-running vehicles. Hybrids, flex-fuel, E85 ethanol vehicles can all be found on the base.  New electric vehicles from GEM are being considered as well, as the base speed limit of 25 mph eliminates the shortcomings of the GEM's low top speed.  A study is even underway at Fort Eustis to evaluate the efficiency gains of nitrogen-filled tires, which are estimated to leak more slowly than those filled with unprocessed air.

Energy conservation isn’t the only consideration of the Executive Order. Environmental stewardship remains a primary focus, as evidenced by efforts to stem the advance of the invasive Phragmites australis in the area around the base. The Environmental Management System also provides training support, collecting lead rounds from the firing range before they can leech into the local water supply.

Perhaps the total effect of Executive Order 13423 is most clearly displayed when local utility companies anticipate higher demand, and enact substantial cost increases. Base-wide notifications go out ahead of these so-called “peak days”, resulting in all-out efforts at conservation. During 8 such days in 2007, Fort Eustis was able to cut its power consumption by a staggering 40%.  

All told, Executive Order 13423 aims to effect greenhouse gas emission reductions of 30% over 2003 levels by 2015—an impressive goal for a Presidency demonized for not falling in line with global emissions caps.

When carried over into combat zones, the rigors of conservation can end up saving more than just carbon.  In combat zones from Iraq to Afghanistan, supply and fuel convoys have proven popular targets for insurgent forces.  By reducing the demand for energy, the Army has been able to reduce the number of convoys it uses, thus reducing the number of troops it puts in harm’s way.  

A similar trip reduction theory has spurred the development of the Army’s TIGER project, which looks to process waste products into fuel to power an electric generator. “When you're over in a combat area and people are shooting at you, you still have to deal with your trash,” quips Army Rapid Engineering Force project officer John Spiller "How would you feel if somebody was shooting at you every other time you pushed [trash] down the curb?" Along with cutting dangerous disposal trips, the TIGER and other waste reduction projects have helped combat the health threat posed by large garbage dumps in populated areas.

When asked if people ever complain about the energy-saving measures underway at Fort Eustis, the Environmental Management System Support Contractor replied, “Oh, definitely. People want what’s convenient for them. But if it can be done on a military base, it can be done anywhere. Low-flow toilets and low-flow showerheads are things that any large business can do. Or any small business or home, for that matter.” 

Considering the ambitious conservation goals the Army is currently on track to meet, and the massive savings that will no doubt result, I’d say it sounds like a pretty good idea.

Related articles:

The Army Isn't AWOL on Carbon Reduction
U.S. Military Tests Trash-to-Fuel Technology

 

Photo: Contractors install the Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery, or TGER, at Camp Victory, Iraq. By Jerry Warner, Defense Life Sciences