On target for energy awareness Published Oct. 14, 2010 By Geraldine E. Klein Hanscom Environmental Management Systems Team HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- October marks Energy Awareness Month. The theme for this year's observance is "Powering America; We're on Target," which illustrates how federal agencies continue to focus on energy targets to lower operating expenses, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to achieve long-term energy, economic and national security. This year, the White House released Federal Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans on Sept. 9. This is the first time federal agencies have submitted plans. The plans work to achieve the environmental, economic and energy goals set in President Obama's Executive Order 13514 on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance. The Department of Defense (DoD) submitted its fiscal year 2010 Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan, detailing actions the department will take within the next ten years. The comprehensive plan ranges from energy and water reduction, to solid waste, chemical management and procurement of sustainable products and services. The DoD strategic plan is designed to save taxpayer dollars, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect the environment and natural resources and contribute to national security. For more information, visit the following website at www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/10/leading-example-toward-a-sustainable-future. Base personnel may are encouraged to submit ideas and topics of interest for future articles on energy awareness.