An aerial view of Fort Lee, Va. (Army)
The Army plans to phase out all incandescent lighting within five years as one of many newly announced steps it is taking to cut energy consumption at its facilities 45 percent below 2003 levels by 2020.
The Army aims to outpace a similar goal set by the entire Defense Department, which is to reduce energy consumption at facilities by 37.5 percent below 2003 levels by 2020.
The Army plans to replace those less-efficient light bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting. Other steps the Army plans to use: green roofs, solar water-heating, and storm-water management.
"Energy security, sustainability and efficiency are national security imperatives," Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and the environment, said in a news release. "This policy supports the Army's global missions in a cost-effective, safe and sustainable manner that will benefit Army soldiers, families and the entire nation."
The Army will use lifecycle cost analysis for all of its building projects to take into account energy savings and environmental costs, and it will do more to include sustainability efforts as part of the planning and budgeting stages of building projects, she said.
"It's been over 130 years since Thomas Edison gave birth to the world's first practical incandescent light bulb, and we're undeniably overdue for a jump forward," Hammack said.