MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- As if the new increased postal rates weren't enough, Station residents are going to find an unexpected visitor in their mailboxes today - an electric bill.
Luckily, residents don't have to pay the bills. The project was implemented so residents can be more aware of how much electricity would cost them back in the states.
"I personally haven't paid an electric bill in nearly six years," said Navy Lt. Nate Price, assistant Facilities officer. "A lot of Station residents are in the same boat, and may not realize how expensive electricity has become because they aren't personally paying the bill.
The idea behind the 'dummy bills' is to make residents aware of the high cost, and hopefully lead them to save energy."
The bills are approximations of the actual amount residents would have to pay if the government wasn't picking up the tab.
"People tend to look at not having to pay an electric bill in the military as an entitlement," said Price, "but I see it more as a privilege. It is important that we don't abuse that privilege, and that we use electricity wisely."
Senior Chief Petty Officer James Trocke, Station Utilities chief, said he couldn't agree more.
"People think about costs more when it comes out of their own pockets," said Trocke.
According to Trocke, saving money for the Station is only one of the projects' objectives.
"Our natural resources are valuable," said Trocke. "You can only dig so deep in the earth's well before it goes dry. What we do now is going to affect our children's future."
Trocke says he also wants to instill good habits in residents for their own benefit.
"People aren't going to live on base or be in the military forever," said Trocke. "I want to get awareness on saving energy instilled in them now, because if you don't start practicing energy conservation, nobody's going to feel the pain but your own back pocket."
According to Trocke, the dummy bills are based on the same format as a standard California electric bill. The bills give the dates of the billing cycle, how many kilowatts were used during the time frame, and the cost.
"We don't meter everyone's residence individually," said Trocke. "Instead, Facilities has taken the average cost based on the square footage of the residence. That way we break the bills down to those who live in two, three and four bedroom homes and give the approximate cost of their electricity bill."
The dummy bills also contain a list of energy saving tips.
"We want to educate the Station," said Trocke. "I can't say it enough - saving energy is the right thing to do. It's that simple. We all need to do our part."