Air Force receives EPA Climate Protection Award Published May 19, 2006 TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- The Air Force Facility Energy Program won more national recognition when it received the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2006 Climate Protection Award May 17.The award is given to organizations that significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gasses. Last year, the Air Force became one of the first organizations in the world to purchase more than 1 million megawatts of renewable energy. According to EPA estimates, that reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 1.38 billion pounds annually; the equivalent of saving 1.5 million barrels of oil or taking 135,000 cars off the road. The Air Force is the federal government’s leader in energy conservation and renewable energy usage. Earlier this year, the Air Force earned the top ranking in the EPA’s Green Power Partnership and received the agency’s Green Power Partner of the Year Award. “We don’t do this for the awards; we do it because it makes good sense both financially and environmentally,” said Col. Les Martin, Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency. “But you do see big smiles on our faces when we do get them.”