Misawa Air Base, Japan, officials say that they're working a 15-year, $100 million-plus project to upgrade the base's entire electrical power infrastructure in an effort to bring air conditioning to the base housing. (T.D. Flack/Stars and Stripes)
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — A 15-year, $100 million-plus project to bring air conditioning to the base is getting cranked up.
Lt. Col. Dwayne Robison, commander of the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron, said Misawa received permission this month to contract for the project design.
The news comes as Misawa residents have been sweltering in a hotter than normal summer this year. The area recorded a high of 97.3 degrees on Aug. 6, the second-hottest day here since the Aomori Meteorological Agency began recording data in 1976.
Robison said he understands people are hot, adding that he also lives in base housing, but getting relief through the air-conditioning project is still years away and funding between the U.S. and Japan remains to be worked out.
Under previous Air Force regulations, Misawa didn’t rate air conditioning because of the short summer season, which meant an often uncomfortable six weeks for base residents. Only areas deemed mission critical, such as computer server and hospital operating rooms, have air conditioning.
In 2003, however, the regulation was updated — adding humidity levels as a factor — and Misawa was authorized air in housing units for the first time since Americans occupied the installation in September 1945. But due to a base electrical power grid that can’t handle the increased load, base housing has yet to receive air conditioning. Before that can happen, three electrical sub-stations and even the housing units themselves must undergo a massive power renovation project, Robison explained.
The funding comes from a mixed pot — from the U.S. Air Force and the Japanese government — adding to the project’s complexity. So, while officials have permission to start project planning and have some pieces funded, they’ll have to go forward in hopes that additional funding will fall into place over the years.
For example, the Japanese government has funded $12 million for the electrical distribution upgrades for the main base, but an additional $37 million is still needed for that portion of the project.
Robison said he also has to balance the plan to add air conditioning with the Defense Department’s goal of slashing energy consumption.
Base officials are looking at other ways to save energy to offset the increased energy consumption and costs that the air conditioning will bring, Robison said.
In 2009, Misawa had a roughly $15 million electric bill, and that’s expected to jump by about 10 to 15 percent the first year the base has full air, according to civil engineering officials.
One plan that’s underway, Robison said, is a $5 million project to renovate the steam plant on the north side of the base. That project will reduce fuel consumption to provide hot water year-round and heat in the winter, and the savings can help offset the increases expected with air conditioning, he said.
“We care. We’re trying really hard,” Robison said. “It’s just a significant investment, and a lot has to happen between now and then.”