The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RECOGNIZING THE AIR FORCE AND DYESS AIR FORCE BASE ON ACHIEVING ENERGY SAVINGS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H13529-H13530 on Dec. 7, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE AIR FORCE AND DYESS AIR FORCE BASE ON ACHIEVING ENERGY
SAVINGS
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 845) recognizing the United States Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base for their success in achieving energy savings and developing energy-saving innovations during Energy Awareness Month, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 845
Whereas the United States Air Force operates 84 major installations and 82 minor installations worldwide and is supported by an employee base of approximately 700,000 persons, which includes regular and Reserve component members and civilian employees;
Whereas the Air Force mission requires a global presence that provides a rapid response capability and strategic positioning of its assets;
Whereas the Air Force is the largest user of energy in the Federal Government since Air Force aircraft consume significant quantities of energy in executing their mission and keeping the United States and its allies safe;
Whereas the Air Force has a comprehensive energy policy and strategy that identifies the imperative to eliminate waste, conserve resources, and seek new, alternative sources of energy;
Whereas October of each year is Energy Awareness Month throughout the Federal Government, and the Air Force's theme for fiscal year 2010 is ``Energy Solutions...Fueling the Mission'';
Whereas the theme ``Energy Solutions...Fueling the Mission'' highlights the importance of energy to the Air Force's overall mission to ``Fly, Fight, Win'' and supports the Air Force energy plan to reduce demand, increase supply, and change the culture to make energy a consideration in everything they do;
Whereas Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, is one of just three Air Force installations recognized by the Department of Energy as a 2009 Federal Energy and Water Management Award Winner;
Whereas Dyess Air Force Base has developed several energy-saving initiatives, including a system that employs a pond and an ice plant through which water is circulated and then used to cool the installation during the hot summer months, reducing the energy used by the B-1 simulator campus by over 30 percent, and saving Dyess Air Force Base more than
$239,000;
Whereas through a partnership with two companies, Dyess Air Force Base was able to take previously unusable water to the base through an abandoned pipeline for use on the installation's golf course, thereby saving more than 160 million gallons of water a year;
Whereas the hangar lights at Dyess Air Force Base were replaced with new electronic dimming lights, which have saved 9,734 million BTUs and $209,000; and
Whereas in 2008, Dyess Air Force Base energy managers, engineers, and contracting officials reduced energy consumption by 16.5 percent and saved more than $1 million: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the energy savings and innovations achieved by the United State Air Force;
(2) honors the leadership of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base for their energy savings; and
(3) congratulates Tom Denslow, Danny Dobbs, Ron Miller, and TSgt (Sel) Daniel Thatcher of the Department of the Air Force, Dyess Air Force Base, and Steve Dumont of the Department of the Air Force, Air Combat Command, for their efforts to reduce energy use in support of the missions of the 7th Bomb Wing and the 317th Airlift Group and to make Dyess Air Force Base a model of efficient energy use.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rooney) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.
General Leave
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Guam?
There was no objection.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support House Resolution 845, recognizing the United States Armed Forces and Dyess Air Force Base for their success in achieving energy savings and developing energy-saving innovations.
I would like to thank my colleague and former neighbor, Mr. Neugebauer, for his work in bringing this resolution to the floor.
The Air Force pledge to become more energy efficient has facilitated both resourceful engineering projects and simple solutions, such as the installation of new electronic dimming lights in hangars at Dyess Air Force Base.
While the projects at Dyess Air Force Base range in size and scope, the end result is a 16.5 percent reduction in energy usage at a savings of over $1 million in 2008. The diligence exhibited by the Air Force and leadership at Dyess Air Force Base serves as a good example of what can be achieved in energy savings, not only at other bases, but in government facilities, private businesses, and personal households.
The men and women at this base in Abilene, Texas, continue to display a commitment to conserve energy and remain faithful stewards of the taxpayers' money. They accomplished all of this without sacrificing their ultimate mission to ``Fly, Fight, Win.''
So Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the United States Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base for their successes in energy conservation by supporting House Resolution 845.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 845, which recognizes the United States Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, for their innovative approaches and success in achieving energy savings. I want to commend Representative Randy Neugebauer of Texas for sponsoring this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, as the largest user of energy in the Federal Government, the Air Force has been a national leader in seeking ways to conserve energy, eliminate waste, and seek alternative sources of energy at its 166 large and small installations around the world. Within this exemplary group of military installations, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, was just one of three Air Force installations recognized by the Department of Energy as a 2009 Federal Energy and Water Management Award winner. In earning this distinction, Dyess Air Force Base personnel reduced energy consumption by more than 16 percent and saved over $1 million without sacrificing mission accomplishment in any way.
This is why it is, therefore, right and proper that we recognize the Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, for their leadership and outstanding accomplishments in energy stewardship.
I urge all Members to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas, the sponsor of this resolution, Mr. Neugebauer.
Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the United States Air Force in their tremendous efforts as leaders in the Federal Government's participation in Energy Awareness Month this past October.
America depends on the Air Force to continually provide an umbrella of security, deter our Nation's enemies, and provide safe, efficient, and effective transportation of essential personnel and supplies to carry out their mission.
As the largest single user of energy in the Federal Government, the Air Force faces the daily challenge of improving their energy efficiency while continuing to provide our Nation and her allies with the most reliable Air Force in the world.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to also take this opportunity to congratulate Dyess Air Force Base, located in my district. Dyess Air Force Base was recently recognized by receiving the Department of Energy's Federal Energy and Waste Management Award. The Federal Energy and Waste Management Award recognizes individuals, groups, and agencies for their outstanding contributions in the areas of energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of advanced and renewable energy technologies at their Federal facilities. Having earned this award in the past, Dyess Air Force Base continues to be a model for smart energy use.
As we recognize October as Energy Awareness Month throughout the Federal Government, Dyess Air Force Base has made outstanding contributions in areas of energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of advanced and renewable energy technologies. Some of the energy-saving initiatives included a system that employs a pond and an ice plant through which water is circulated and used to cool the installation during the hot summer months, and reducing the energy used by the B-1 bomb simulator over 30 percent, saving almost $239,000. They also developed a way to use previously unusable water through an abandoned pipeline for use by the installation's golf course, thereby saving almost 160 million gallons of fresh water each year.
All told, in 2008, Dyess Air Force Base reduced its total energy consumption 16.5 percent and saved the American taxpayers over $1 million. I am proud of this achievement and the honor that this award brings to the Air Force, the people of the 19th Congressional District, and to the State of Texas. As we step toward developing sustainable and alternative energy sources, we must continue to work to increase our energy efficiency.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to personally congratulate and insert into the Record the following names: Tom Denslow, Danny Dobbs, Ron Miller, and Daniel Thatcher of Dyess Air Force Base; and Steve Dumont of Air Combat Command for their efforts to reduce energy use and to make that base a model of energy use. It is because of their hard work and dedication that America's dollars are better utilized and airmen are best served.
Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my colleague from Florida
(Mr. Rooney) for managing the bills on the floor today. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 845, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________
