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"We can make huge changes by reducing the waste from conventional products and practices," said Paul Rath, Director of Hazmat Management for FISC and the driving force behind coordinating the fair.
Visitors to the fair were able to gather information, see product demonstrations, and talk to experts at more than 15 exhibitor tables from commercial industry as well as DOD.
Some of the featured green products included low-emission coatings and sealants; office and construction products made from recycled materials; non-hazardous janitorial and shop products; and, energy-minimization and renewable energy systems.
"Studies show that 80 percent of Americans are in favor of renewable energy," said Larry Liesner, sales representative for Alteris Renewables. "Many Americans believe it should be part of our national security, because renewable energy would lesson our dependence on foreign countries for resources."
Energy use and utility consumption on SUBASE has become even more of a focus recently as installations throughout the Navy's Mid-Atlantic Region face a possible multi-million dollar funding shortfall in utilities' budgets.
Dave Skipper, the Resource Energy Manager in SUBASE's Public Works Department, performs continuous studies of energy usage on base. Using fairly simple and inexpensive tools such as a temperature and humidity recorder, Skipper and his team monitor electricity usage, air flow, and temperature in buildings all over the base.
With the help of computer programs that analyze the gathered information, Public Works engineers are able to determine if valuable resources are being lost and if so, whether that loss is a result of equipment failure or human behavior.
Skipper's team has already been making a difference.
"By changing the habits of all the Sailors and civilians in one building on Lower Base, we were able to reduce the cost to SUBASE utilities by $15,000 per year," said Skipper.
SUBASE leadership and the Public Works Department have drawn up measures to reduce energy consumption on base and have begun encouraging tenant commands and individual members of the base community to take resource conservation actions in several major ways.
Use of natural light for lighting has been encouraged, and when possible, so has the removal of bulbs from entire fixtures. Without compromising safety or personal health, SUBASE Headquarters removed 292 light bulbs throughout the building. That action alone is anticipated to be save $3,000 over the course of the year.
Barracks residents are being reminded to ensure lights are off, windows closed, and personal computers, televisions, radios, and similar electricity draining items are powered down when leaving the room or not in use.
The Public Works Department is also setting building thermostats through out the base to, a still very comfortable, 68 degrees or lower during the remainder of the heating season.
Of course, the greatest way to save energy is for people to make a call to the building manager when something is not working correctly, noted Skipper
"Make the call until the problem has been completely fixed," Skipper urged.
Each building on base has been designed to function comfortably as an office or living quarters. Opening windows and using personal heaters can cause the environmental sensors to incorrectly calculate an optimal condition when other areas of the building may be too hot or cold. As long as building managers keep Public Works engineers informed of current issues, problems can be solved effectively and efficiently.
SUBASE leadership is committed to every eco-friendly and resource saving effort.
"Whether it's making an informed decision to pursue an eco-friendly purchase you learned about at the Green Fair, or whether it's ensuring your lights and computer are turned off every evening, individual actions may seem small," said SUBASE Commanding Officer Capt. Mark S. Ginda. "But, when we all do our part, they add up and make a difference."
