CAMP PENDLETON, California- -- The Department of Defense has made energy conservation a main focus over the last several years, with one program specifically affecting the residents on Camp Pendleton called the
Resident Energy Conservation Program
This program’s goal is to encourage energy conservation and reduce electricity costs in more than 7,500 housing units in 20 areas on base.
RECP is designed to encourage energy saving by rewarding residents who use less than the average amount of energy for their type housing or to bill residents who exceed the average energy usage. Base residents who are within 10% of the average usage for their type home will have no cost impact. Residents using less energy than the 10% average will be rewarded with cash/credit. Residents using more energy than the 10% average will be billed for excess energy use.
“The first half of homes aboard the Base entered ‘live billing’ in May of 2013, and the second half began live billing in March 2014,” said Andrew N. Killion, National RECP manager for Lincoln Military Housing here.
According to Killion, more families have received rebates than those who have incurred charges. The average monthly charge is generally less than $30.00. Conversely, there are many families at Camp Pendleton that are earning over $100.00 per month in rebates.
“Since the program’s implementation a few months ago, we have incurred nearly $85 in credit to our account because of our energy conservation,” said Ashley Peracca, a Pacific Views housing resident. “I think the program is phenomenal. Whether you have to pay a small bill or receive a credit, it is like having a discounted electric bill each month.”
Killion indicated the program is on track to meet the same standard of 10-15% energy conservation that the Army and Navy have seen in their RECP-like programs.
“The data thus far shows that we are in that range and achieving cost avoidance of several hundred-thousand dollars per year,” Killion said. “The important point is that any money that we are not spending on utilities is money that is then available and better-spent on other areas of family housing, such as making improvements to homes and communities.”
“I like to characterize RECP as a program that puts more of our resident's (basic allowance for housing) to work for them,” concluded Killion. “RECP is a very good and equitable program with tangible benefits that helps us improve the quality-of-life of our Marines, Sailors and their families.”
There are many things residents can do to save energy and possibly receive a credit: taking shorter, cooler showers; turning off lights, air conditioning and appliances when leaving a room or the house; bumping up the air conditioning temperature or lowering the heating; or drawing window shades to keep the heat out among other things.
Residents can get more information about RECP or about ways to save by visiting the Resident Energy Conservation Program page