County supervisors hear of Camp Pendleton environmental practices

Military readiness and environmental stewardship aren’t necessarily incompatible, and on June 26 Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton facilities director Robert Hellman gave a presentation at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting on Camp Pendleton’s environmental practices.

“Many lessons can be learned from the Camp Pendleton model,” said Supervisor Pam Slater-Price.

Camp Pendleton’s environmental stewardship precedes the modern “green” movement. Motorists along Interstate 5 will notice a sign which says “Preserving California’s Precious Resources”; the original sign has been replaced but a sign with that motto has been present since 1978.

In the case of recycling and energy efficiency measures, environmental stewardship means more money for military activity rather than for supplies. “We’re not wasting the taxpayers’ money,” Hellman said. “We want to utilize the taxpayers’ money correctly.”

When the Marines are deployed, energy efficiency is a battlefield advantage. “That’s less fuel that needs to be delivered, less Marines that need to be on the road delivering fuel,” Hellman said.

Camp Pendleton comprises approximately 195 square miles, or 125,000 acres. That area does not include the Naval Weapons Station. Its structures range from recent energy-efficient buildings to Quonset huts built in 1944 (the base also has historic structures from its ranch era). In addition to mission-related buildings, Camp Pendleton has nearly 7,600 family housing units.

The base’s environmental program has four goal areas: energy independence, reliable infrastructure, efficiency, and sustainability. Camp Pendleton also has to handle endangered or threatened wildlife species; there are 16 such species known to be on the base.

In 2007, a goal was set to reduce water usage by 16 percent by 2015. By 2011 a 56 percent reduction was achieved. The Department of Defense goal of reducing energy usage by 25 percent by 2025 had a 2011 reduction figure of four percent. “We’re going to find ways to get there,” Hellman said.

The average peak energy usage is 35 megawatts. More than five megawatts are currently produced by photovoltaic systems, although Hellman notes that additional photovoltaic panels aren’t necessarily compatible with the base’s actual mission. “We don’t have all the land in the world,” he said.

The base also has 34 electric vehicle charging stations in nine different areas. One of Camp Pendleton’s energy reduction strategies involves separate meters. As of Hellman’s presentation 993 meters had been installed; the target is 1,100. Hellman noted that the metering program also plans to expand to natural gas and water. “Metering is a key component of our strategy,” Hellman said.

The base’s recycling efforts include selling recyclable materials. “It’s a self-sustaining program,” Hellman said.

“What you have accomplished at Camp Pendleton is a model,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob.

“I think the Marines have proved they’re excellent stewards of the land,” said Supervisor Bill Horn, who was once stationed at Camp Pendleton.