Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) began their regional "Energy Biggest Loser" competition, July 1.

The competition among the Region's installations runs July 1-31 and pits one base against the other to see which one can reduce energy use the most during the month.

The biggest energy loser will receive $70,000 to use toward base improvements; second and third place "losers" will receive $50,000 and $30,000 respectively.

"This is a friendly way to bring about awareness, and encourage everyone's participation in reducing energy use ashore," said Rear Adm. Jack Scorby, commander, Navy Region EURAFSWA. "Currently, we are spending close to 30 percent of our shore budget on energy costs. Reducing our usage allows us to take that money and invest in other areas, such as alternative energy sources."

While the installations vie against one another for the top prize, the reality is that each base is truly competing against its own prior usage, as the competition compares current energy use to historical energy use.

Installations will use technology that records usage data. That data will be collected and reported weekly to the Region. Each week, the results will be posted so the bases can see how they are faring in the competition. At the end of the competition period, the top installations will be chosen based on the greatest percent reduction in electrical consumption. Each base must use less electrical energy than it has over the same time period in the past.

"We are really focusing on education in the competition," said Scorby. "Reducing usage is really a team effort. By taking simple actions, each of us can continually reduce annual electrical consumption."

These simple acts include turning off lights, unplugging devices and chargers when not in use, and turning off screen
monitors and computers.

The EURAFSWA Energy Biggest Loser competition is part of the Navy's ongoing energy conservation initiatives and energy strategy, which is centered on energy security, energy efficiency and sustainability. Energy efficiency is vital as it improves mission effectiveness and saves money.

For more information on the competition, visit the website www.cnic.navy.mil/ebl.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, visit www.navy.mil/.