A group representing communities nationwide that host military installations has awarded the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker its prestigious Installation Excellence Award.

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby presented the award from the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) during a ceremony in Washington. ADC represents 200 communities, states and regions with a significant military presence.

The City of Enterprise nominated Fort Rucker for the 2014 award because of the facility’s significant achievements in energy conservation – accomplished with support from Alabama Power.

Fort Rucker has met head-on a federal mandate to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent at government facilities by 2015. Working with Alabama Power, the facility is in the midst of installing more than $18 million in conservation measures, placing the post on a path to surpass the goal.

So far, Alabama Power has installed $1.7 million in energy efficiency measures, including lighting, lighting sensors, HVAC upgrades, infrared heat, LED outdoor lighting and an innovative heat pump water heater connected to a boiler.

“Partnerships are key to supporting military installations and communities near them,” Shelby said. “The surrounding communities around Fort Rucker have continued to be supportive and have worked to protect the installation with initiatives like the partnership with Alabama Power.”

“As our nation and the Department of Defense strive for energy efficiency, the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker has achieved – and exceeded – its energy goals through the use of innovative partnerships,” said ADC President Bob Murdock. “Other installations are now following the leadership of Fort Rucker and Colonel Stuart J. McRae.”

The cost-saving measures are expected to save Fort Rucker almost $2 million a year. They include a 51-kilowatt solar panel array, which was purchased with the proceeds from the sale of three natural gas generators that were no longer operating. The solar project generates more energy than is needed for the remote airfield it serves. That achieves another goal: making the airfield a “net-zero” energy usage area.

Installation of the remaining energy efficiency measures is expected to be completed in September. These include state-of-the-art, high-efficiency chillers located in a new central chilled water plant, new heat recovery systems, high-efficiency boilers and solar water heating. They are expected to reduce the installation’s energy usage by 10 percent.

Fort Rucker enjoys tremendous support from its surrounding host communities, including the cities of Daleville, Dothan, Enterprise and Ozark. Leaders in those four communities have committed to allocate $2 per resident annually to promote Fort Rucker and its missions. The commitment covers the next three years.

“We are honored to have nominated Fort Rucker,” said Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell. “Fort Rucker is a valuable asset to our area. The work being done there – from training men and women to be highly skilled aviators to conserving energy in partnership with Alabama Power – is world-class.”

The installation also benefits from local representation on the Alabama Job Creation and Military Stability Commission, an organization created by the Legislature to retain and enhance the military presence in Alabama. Boswell and retired Brig. Gen. Rod Wolfe were appointed to represent Fort Rucker and the surrounding region.