SECNAV Energy Conservation Awards Announced

The Secretary of the Navy announced the Energy Conservation (ENCON) ship award winners for FY2003. These award winners represent Navy ships who have been singled out for outstanding execution of energy conservation measures and consistent reduction in energy consumption. Energy conservation awards were also announced for Navy shore activities and Marine Corps bases. During FY 2003, Commander, Pacific Fleet (COMPAC) and Commander, Atlantic Fleet (COMLANT) ships, even during this high level operational era, avoided the consumption of many thousands of kilowatt-hours of electricity. Using energy education, the Fleet was able to reallocate over 1,160,000 barrels of fuel, to high OPTEMPO ships. In ship operating terms, this is equivalent of 22 “ship years” of steaming using energy conservation initiatives provided by NAVSEA’s ENCON Team. Winners will be recognized in an awards ceremony to be held on 26 October, 2004, at the Navy Memorial.

Secretary of the Navy, Gordon R. England, applauded the work of the energy winners, noting the strong and determined efforts by all Navy commands. “Congratulations and my personal gratitude to all the outstanding achievers. You are all energy champions. I strongly encourage all Navy and Marine Corps activities and personnel to continue to be good stewards of energy and water by reducing consumption and implementing energy cost savings measures,” he said.

The Department of the Navy (DON) is one of the most energy-intense Federal entities. Through the work of it’s energy teams, it has reduced its energy use by over 26 percent since 1985, saving more than a half-billion dollars, avoiding air and water pollution. Further, the Navy is on track to reduce its energy use by 35% by 2010.The Navy’s ENCON Team, which won the 2002 Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management, continues to stress the important role of the average sailor and engineer in energy conservation. Administered by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the team uses an ongoing series of video teletraining (VTT) workshops and seminars to showcase energy conservation techniques to Navy activities worldwide.

Shipboard ENCON Program Manager, Hasan Pehlivan, said “Hundreds of men and women ashore and aboard ships worked hard to earn awards for their energy teams. They’ve brought determination to the goal of energy savings.”

The following are the SECNAV ENCON Ship Awards Winners:

Large Ship Category:

Top Award: USS PELELIU (LHA 5)

Platinum Award: USS ESSEX (LHD 2)

Gold Award: USS CARTER HALL (LSD 50)

Blue Award: USS OGDEN (LPD 5)

Small Ship Category:

Top Award: USS COWPENS (CG 63)

Platinum Award: USS RENTZ (FFG 46)

Gold Award: USS HOWARD (DDG 83)

Blue Award: USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52)