CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- As a continuing conservation initiative, installations in the region are powering down workstations and peripherals during non-operational hours.

A policy letter released Oct. 3 requires users to power down workstations, laptops, monitors and local printers after normal working hours and during weekends to reduce energy use among units and organizations here, at three air stations in California and Arizona and at a logistics base in Barstow, Calif.

"I encourage all leaders aboard our installations to remind their Marines and sailors to power down their workstations at the end of each work period," said Brig. Gen. Vincent A. Coglianese, base commanding general and regional authority of five Marine installations in the Southern United States. "It's also imperative that leaders explain the necessity and benefits of these worthy conservation efforts."

According to Environmental Protection Agency calculations, powering down approximately 13,600 computers at Pendleton, the largest installation in the region, will result in savings of more than 8,160,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, directly reducing attendant green house gas emissions.

Furthermore, the policy suggests powering down these computers each week for 10 hours a day and an additional 48 hours during the weekend will save the base up to $1,088,000 per year.

"Reducing our energy costs throughout the region better positions us and provides for more effective use of funding to train our Marines," said Coglianese.

To maximize results, installation tenant commands are being encouraged to implement the policy to the highest extent possible without negatively impacting mission readiness and accomplishment.

"As we continue to develop this energy ethos along, and with development and use of new energy technologies throughout the Marine Corps and the region, we are putting ourselves on a path to energy security that will ensure the future training of the war fighter without energy interruptions," said Coglianese.