SECNAV Awards Recognize Energy and Water Efficiency

October 29, 2009

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seven Department of the Navy commands were recognized for exemplary achievements in energy and water efficiency at the Secretary of the Navy Energy and Water Management Awards ceremony Oct. 27.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091029/DC01965)

"I think this year your achievements mean a little more than they have in the past," said Under Secretary of the Navy Robert Work, who represented Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at the event. "This year, Secretary Mabus has declared the reduction of the department's consumption of fossil fuels to be one of his three top priorities."

The annual event, which was held at the U.S. Navy Memorial & Naval Heritage Center, Washington, D.C., recognizes commands that lead the DoN in reducing energy and water consumption, increasing use of renewable energy sources and constructing sustainable facilities, all while maintaining mission readiness.

This year's SECNAV Award winners are:

    --  Naval Base Kitsap (Bremerton, Wash.) - Navy Large Shore Category
    --  Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (Kings Bay, Ga.) - Navy Small Shore
        Category
    --  Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport (Keyport, Wash.) -
        Industrial Category
    --  Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (San Diego, Calif.) - Marine Corps
        Large Shore Category
    --  Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island (Parris Island, S.C.) - Marine
        Corps Small Shore Category
    --  USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) - Large Ship Category

    --  USS Halsey (DDG 97) - Small Ship Category

These commands underwent a rigorous evaluation of the overall energy and water management performance and are ranked according to a system of SECNAV award winner, then platinum, gold or blue level of achievement. Nine Platinum, 26 Gold and 37 Blue commands were also recognized during the ceremony.

Work stressed that Mabus has set aggressive energy goals aimed at enhancing the strategic, tactical and operational capabilities of the Navy and Marine Corps along with enhancing environmental stewardship. The goals include:

    --  Providing 50 percent of the Department of the Navy's total energy
        consumption by non-fossil fuel sources by 2020.
    --  Evaluating the lifecycle energy cost of platforms, weapons systems, and
        buildings, the fully-burdened cost of fuel in powering these, and
        contractor energy footprint when awarding DoN contracts
    --  Demonstrating a Green strike group of nuclear vessels and ships using
        biofuel in local operations by 2012 and sailing a "Great Green Fleet"
        composed of nuclear ships, surface combatants with hybrid electric power
        systems using biofuel, and aircraft flying only on biofuels by 2016

    --  Reducing the overall petroleum consumption of the department's
        commercial fuel fleet, which number 50,000 vehicles of all types around
        the world at all our bases and stations, by 50 percent by 2015

Work stated that the Department of the Navy is well on the way to accomplishing these goals due to the quality of its people.

"These are extremely ambitious goals," Work said. "Luckily, because of the long-term commitment to energy management demonstrated by this department, we have a great base from which to jump off from. The goals that the secretary has set lay out a vision for us. I have no doubt, myself, that we can achieve this vision. Secretary Mabus and I have the privilege of leading the finest organization in the world. The Department of the Navy is composed of Sailors, Marines and civilians who are up for any challenge."

For more news from Secretary of the Navy, visit www.navy.mil/secnav/index.asp.

SOURCE Department of the Navy