Stories
Responding to the call
Y-12 has seen a reduction in electricity use. The President's call for energy reduction will further help conservation efforts.
In September 2005, President George W. Bush directed the leaders of federal departments and agencies to “take appropriate actions to conserve natural gas, electricity, gasoline and diesel fuel” and directed the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to take a leadership role in the reduction of energy use. Y‑12 responded to that call but in fact had already initiated efforts to conserve energy.
Beginning August 1, 2005, 65 percent of Y‑12's work force converted to a 4‑day, 10‑hour work shift. This change beneficially affects U.S. energy resources as an estimated 5,000 gallons of gasoline per week is being saved by employees.
On-site, significant savings in electricity and natural gas have also been documented. Relative to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 baseline, a 5 percent drop in electricity, natural gas and coal was realized by the end of FY 2005. To further increase energy savings, employees are turning off fluorescent lighting when they leave an area for more than 5 minutes — creating an estimated savings of 1,120 megawatt-hour (MWh) per year. Ensuring that lights are turned off at the end of shifts (with the exception of lighting needed for safe entry/exit) will save an estimated 5,300 MWh per year.
The use of Energy Star appliances and products such as computers, peripheral equipment and copiers has been a Y‑12 policy for years.
In direct response to the president's directive, Y‑12 instituted a no-idling requirement for vehicles. Drivers are expected to turn off engines while waiting in lines and are no longer allowed to warm up vehicles to defrost windows (spray de‑icer is provided). The no-idling requirement generates an estimated annual savings of 900 gallons of gasoline.
Employees are encouraged to refrain from using vehicles for trips less than 0.25 mile. In addition, Y‑12 can conserve an estimated 29,000 gallons of gasoline by removing approximately 150 non-energy-efficient vehicles from service.
Carpooling has increased, and progress is being made on a pilot program to offer express bus service to Y‑12 from Knoxville. Up to 200 riders can be accommodated on the park-and-ride system, and an estimated savings of 45,000 gallons of gasoline can be realized from this plan.
If anything positive has been gleaned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it is energy conservation awareness. In early October, Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman instructed DOE sites to be especially aggressive with energy conservation where possible and to review existing operating and administrative processes to identify additional conservation measures.
Y‑12's response was quick. To further enhance conservation efforts, subject matter experts identified additional energy conservation ideas and communicated the suggestions across the site. Immediate energy savings were realized.