MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Camp Pendleton is reaping the reward for "going green" when taking on new construction projects.
Col. Nicholas F. Marano, commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, accepted an incentive check in the amount of $342,247 from San Diego Gas and Electric via Savings by Design on behalf of MCB Camp Pendleton, May 9. Savings by Design serves as a third-party group that designates the level in which energy-saving programs will be monetarily rewarded.
Once a new building or project is accepted and approved, a contractor is hired. Savings by Design will then team up with the contracted engineers to brainstorm ways to lower the long-term energy costs.
"We work with [Savings by Design] to design projects that - over the life of the facility - will drive down our energy costs," said Navy Capt. Mike Williamson, officer-in-charge of construction, Marine Corps Installations - West. "Essentially be doing so, the energy company can then create space on their energy-production grids and not have to go out and build more power facilities. By doing our part to drive down their life-cycle costs, we are helping them out."
By putting energy-saving techniques into practice, the Marine Corps can earn cash incentives while maintaining an environment-friendly outlook.
"We've come to the realization that the upfront investment is a very small portion of the overall cost of maintaining our facilities," Williamson said. "The choices we make at the front end, with regard to energy, can have a significant savings over the life of the facility. If we're doing mulltiple buildings, all the savings is money that can be spent elsewhere more effectively. So it's pretty exciting to see the Marine Corps going in this direction."
The money received will go back into Camp Pendleton facilities, continuing to make them even more energy efficient, said Marano
"This is a very exciting time to be working with the Marine Corps," said David Geier, vice president of electric operations, San Diego Gas and Electric. "Ten years ago no one could have conceived the progress we've made. Today, the Corps is leading the way and saving thousands of dollars by taking a more planet-friendly approach to new developments."
With Camp Pendleton boasting 2,700 buildings and structures and growing every day, it is vital to the local population every attempt is made to conserve the land and natural resources.
"It's really great to see the Marine Corps going to such lengths to go green," said Peggy Crossman, senior account executive, Savings by Design. "They are such a powerful resource within the neighborhood, it's really important that we all do our part."
Now that serveral projects are already complete, Camp Pendleton can continue on its "green" path, continuing to improve energy-saving methods with each new project.
"This reallly is a win/win for everyone involved," Geier said. "We're saving money, [the Marine Corps] is saving money and we're doing it all while supporting the local community."