Energy campaign strives for reduction in consumption

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The U.S. uses more energy than any other country in the world, according to Energy Information Administration official energy statistics from the U.S. government, also amounting to more energy consumption that all European countries combined. 

To decrease the amount of energy expended, U.S. Air Forces in Europe kicked off a year-long campaign to save the command, Air Force and U.S. millions of dollars by reducing the amount of energy it consumes. 

To do so means a change in the way Airmen do business, as making even the smallest of changes like turning off a light when leaving a room can conserve power. 

According to the 2008 economic impact assessment for Spangdahlem Air Base and Bitburg Annex, there are more than 14,000 people who work and live on or around Spangdahlem Air Base and Bitburg Annex. While one person remembering to turn the light off when leaving a room may not make much of a difference, 14,000 people doing so might. 

Other things Sabers can do to reduce energy use include opening shades when the sun shines through and close them in the evenings to keep the chill out. People can also unplug appliances when not in use because many appliances pull power even when turned off; appliances can even be plugged into a power strip that's switched off when not in use. 

Information from the Department of Energy Web site was used in this article.