November 20, 2014 -- Editor’s note: The following article is provided by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast Public Affairs Office. Nathan L. Hanks Jr. also contributed to the article.
The Honorable Ray Mabas, secretary of the Navy, announced the Fiscal Year 2014 Energy and Water Management Award winners Oct. 21 naming Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany the receipient of the Marine Corps Small Shore Award, earning $30,000 for their program.
Col. Don Davis, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, said, “we are very excited to win this level award for the third time in the last four years.”
“This SECNAV level energy award is recognition of the incredible efforts of our team of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast and MCLB Albany facility engineers and energy management experts in reducing our energy intensity (consumption) by 40 percent and the continued growth of our renewable energy portfolio,” Davis said. “I am confident that the continued efforts of this team will have us off the grid by the summer of 2017 and additional recognition as the first ‘Net-Zero’ base in the United States Marine Corps.”
According to Fred Broome, director, Installation and Environment Division, MCLB Albany, this is the latest in a series of awards recognizing MCLB Albany “Energy Dream Team” led by Hubert “Ski” Smigelski, Lt. Cmdr. Dennis Riordan, Mike Henderson, Nancy Hilliard, Charles “Chuck” Phelps, Eddie Hunt and Dan Greene.
“It is an honor to serve with such an awesome team of professionals who consistently find innovative ways to clear bureaucratic and technical obstacles to develop and execute projects and strategies to meet the SECNAV’s Net Zero Goal,” Broome said.
Several other installations in the southeast where NAVFAC Southeast facilitates energy conservation programs were also recognized.
“This is wonderful news for NAVFAC Southeast,” Capt. Lore Aguayo, NAVFAC Southeast operations officer, said. “Selection for these awards are not based on individual accomplishments – it’s a team effort team. And together, as a team, we will continue achieving and exceeding the Secretary of the Navy’s energy goals.”
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, was recognized as the Marine Corps Large Shore activity, earning a $45,000 prize.
Naval Station Mayport, Florida, was recognized as a Platinum Award winner. Platinum levels of achievement indicate an outstanding energy program and an exceptional year for energy project execution and winners receive $5,000 each, to be spent at the discretion of the commanding officer to encourage further energy improvements.
“Naval Station Mayport strives to be the leader in energy conservation and being selected as a Platinum Award winner is a testament to that effort,” Cmdr. Bo Palmer, executive officer, Naval Station Mayport, Florida, said. “It’s an all-hands effort and a result of increased awareness and leveraging new technologies to capture energy efficiencies. Everyone working and living on board this installation deserve credit in making this achievement a reality.”
“These commands executed comprehensive efficiency programs with senior-level command involvement, well-staffed and trained energy teams, aggressive awareness campaigns, innovative energy efficiency measures, and consistent reduction in energy consumption,” Mabus said in his award announcement.
“Congratulations and thank you for your efforts. Energy and water management are critical to the accomplishment of the Navy’s mission,” Mabus said in his award announcement. “Energy specifically is one of my top priorities and your performance has significantly advanced progress towards achievement of our goals. Your excellence in energy and water management is an example for all other commands to follow. We must all continue to be good stewards of our resources and treat them as the strategic asset they increasingly are. In the process, we will reduce consumption, waste less, and free up funding to better support our warfighters.”
Both MCLB Albany and MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina, are authorized to fly the SECNAV energy flag for a period of one year and will be recognized at award ceremonies at dates to be determined.