EPA to recognize Marine Corps Air Station Miramar with 2015 EPA Federal Green Challenge award for Energy

SAN DIEGO - Marine Corps Air Station Miramar will be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today, Wed., May 20, for reducing its use of fuel oil by 98 percent last year.

U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy is scheduled to present base officials with the 2015 EPA Federal Green Challenge award for Energy this

morning. The award honors federal agencies that have reduced environmental impacts in energy, water, waste, electronics, purchasing and transportation.

The majority of the fuel oil reduction on the 23,000-acre installation 15 miles north of downtown San Diego stemmed from using natural gas instead of diesel fuel to power a recently constructed aircraft hanger, according to the EPA.

Following the award presentation, EPA officials will tour the the base's green facilities, which include a 40-foot long zinc bromide flow battery. The

battery is used to store renewable energy and support energy security and cost savings through peak load reduction, according to the EPA.

The base is also moving toward energy independence by building a microgrid, which can power its entire flight line using conventional generation

and onsite renewable energy measures. Further energy reduction plans also include converting boilers across the station from using propane to natural gas.

Base officials said this is the second consecutive year Miramar hastopped more than 400 other government agencies to win the award for energy.