Energy Saving Competition at Naval Construction Battalion Center

Two buildings on the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport are shedding light on energy conservation through a friendly competition.
They build up bridges, hospitals, and other structures to help defend our freedom, but back here at home, the Naval Construction Battalion Center is going on the offensive to cut down on energy use in yet another mission to save money and be resourceful. Installation Energy Manager Michael Tullis said, “We can see a 10 to 12 percent energy reduction so with tighter constraints financially, I mean anything we can do helps.”
The naval base is putting the competitive nature of its sailors and builders to the test. Less means more as two buildings on site vie for bragging rights in the base’s Power Down Month competition. It’s designed to build up conservation efforts while cutting down on utility costs. NCTC Assistant Facility Manager Michael Moore said, “That’s what we’re concentrating on out here, just getting the word out, having people be energy conscious of what they’re doing.”
It can be as easy as turning off a light before you leave the room, but this base competition is all about the power of numbers. Petty Officer Dylan Henderson said, “For a competition, it kind of makes you want to try a little harder. It brings out the competitive spirit in people and makes you want to save more energy than somebody else who is trying to beat you out and save energy.”
They’re off to a bright start in this competition. There’s already been an 8.7 percent reduction in energy used compared to this time last year, skills that will come in handy on or off the base.