Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- As of March, Camp Pendleton has exceeded its natural gas and electricity budget for the 2001 fiscal year that began in October and expects a short fall of $20 million by the end of the year, due to recent increase in costs.

"The skyrocketing cost of utilities just might force us to make significant cuts to our services if we don't do all we can to conserve energy," said MajGen. Edward Hanlon Jr, commanding general, Marine Corps Base.

According to Ed Rogers, Camp Pendleton facilities manager, military units have conserved 10 percent more than in previous years.

"Ten percent means to me that people are turning their lights out," he said.  "However, we are being asked to conserve 5 percent more."

Despite unit efforts, housing consumption is actually higher than in previous years, partially due to the addition of many new houses, according to Rogers.

"Housing is a critical area for us to conserve," he continued.  "If you take a drive through family housing and some warehouse areas, you will see outside lights left on during the day.  We depend on the good will of our family housing residents to step up to the plate and really be aware of energy conservation."

In addition to on-base housing, Bachelor Enlisted Quarters are "sucking up a lot of electricity," according to Rogers.

"We might have to divert money slated for maintenance and repairs to facilities to write a check to our utility service provider," MajGen. Hanlon said.  "Everybody's help is needed in conserving energy and every little bit helps.  If it is not needed, turn it off."

Marine Corps Community Services has been forced to re-evaluate their expenses as they face a $1.2 million jump in utilities this year.

"We're trying our best to refrain from raising prices at the register as much as possible," said Hugh Cooper, deputy director, MCCS.  "We've adjusted our hours of operation, and we're following the same conservation guidelines as the rest of the base.

"What many people don't realize is that many manufacturers, especially ones based in California, are probably going to be raising their prices.  So, if prices go up in the exchanges, it doesn't mean that we're raising them."

Electricity consumption is expected to multiply as summer approaches.
"We're expecting a short fall of $20 million for natural gas and electricity by the end of the fiscal year," Rogers said.

With raising consumption and the strain on resources, the state of California and military families living off base are experiencing rolling blackouts.  The blackouts are expected to last from 60 to 90 minutes at a time. The recent blackouts are due to low amounts of electricity being imported from other states, and some in-state providers going offline for maintenance.

Stuart Mesa housing is the only area on Camp Pendleton that may be affected for now.