Rocky Mountain Power honored Hill Air Force Base today as the 2015 wattsmart® Business Partner of the Year in Northern Utah for taking significant measures to save energy. The U.S Air Force base worked with the wattsmart Business program since 2013 and continues making improvements to conserve electricity.

Hill Air Force Base will have completed nine projects this year that will save 1,541,917 kilowatt-hours annually, enough electricity to power 173 typical Utah homes for a year. The base has 33 more energy efficiency projects underway that are expected to save 3,198,070 kilowatt-hours each year. By 2016, the total energy savings for Hill Air Force will be 4,739,787 kilowatt-hours or enough electricity to power 532 typical homes for a year.

“Hill Air Force Base has long been recognized for its efforts to protect our country and it is a privilege to recognize the base for saving energy and protecting the environment,” said Rocky Mountain Power President and CEO Cindy A. Crane. “The base is helping taxpayers by taking simple steps to use less electricity and lower its energy bills.”

Base Utility Manager Dave Abbott started with a two person team that has grown to five energy project managers. The team holds weekly meetings and worked with the wattsmart Business program on the following projects:

- Installing 8,908 smart plugs strips to reduce energy use.

- Enhancing more than 1,100 homes with LED lighting.

Colonel Ron Jolly, Commander 75th Air Base Wing, accepted the award today on behalf of Hill Air Force Base at the utility’s regional meeting for community leaders in Ogden.

The total cost for all of the energy efficiency projects will be $2,216,252 but the base received $1,134,214 in cash and bill credit incentives from the wattsmart Business program.

After the recognition ceremony on August 17, Rocky Mountain Power executives offered community leaders an update about Rocky Mountain Power and the changing electric industry.

Anh Tuan