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Team Fairchild goes ‘Green in 19’

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lawrence Sena
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  
In today’s world, becoming environmentally friendly is easier than ever. It is as simple as recycling more, turning off the lights when leaving a room or not idling the car, all of which contribute to the goal of conserving energy and being “green”.

Team Fairchild is kicking off the new year by going “Green in 19” and proactively promoting a cleaner and more energy-efficient community.

“One of our ‘Green in 19’ goals is to improve overall energy consumption by optimizing the amount of energy and resources we use, and work more towards recycling,” said Ryan Regrutto, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron energy and utility manager.

Team Fairchild seeks to continue mirroring the Inland Northwest’s “green footprint” with the “Green in 19” initiative by promoting energy conservation practices not only throughout the Department of Defense, but also the Greater Spokane community.

“We’re currently reviewing our landscape water usage, where approximately 50 percent of our water usage goes toward maintaining the grounds” Regrutto said. “We would really like to limit this usage through smart irrigation systems that monitor the amount of water we use for our greenspace.”

The idea of “going green” can appear challenging for some, but reaching the goal of becoming more ecologically friendly as a base can be achieved by adjusting energy consumption habits and embracing the idea of reducing, reusing and recycling.

“The biggest challenge we face is finding the courage to make environmentally responsible decisions even when they’re not required,” said Tyler Smith, 92nd Contracting Squadron environmental element chief. “Whether the obstacle is habit, funding, peer pressure, time, or anything else that might hold us back.”

“It’s important as a base and for the world we live in, that we become the example for improving environmental practices,” Regrutto said. “We are supposed to be the leaders in all we do and if we are not setting the example here, then we are doing ourselves a disservice.”

Fairchild looks to be the advocate of energy conservation by continuing its support and promotion of “Green in 19” and be the lead in environmental practices, bringing the community both in and around Fairchild together to be more “green” throughout the year.