by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA)  The QDR (Quadrennial Defense Review), which sets the Department of Defense’s priorities for the next four years, came out February 1, 2010.  The QDR, because it is much more detailed than the FY 2011 budget request and reflects the Administration’s national defense policy, is the best place to determine DOD’s Energy Security and Climate Change policy.

This QDR includes Energy Security/Climate Change as a topic for the first time. 

However, it is relegated to the last section REFORMING HOW WE DO BUSINESS, of the QDR rather than being included in the lead section DEFENSE STRATEGY, A Complex Environment. This indicates that the Secretary of Defense and the White House do not consider it a true national security issue and instead consider it a logistics issue.

DOD’s approach to renewables seems very electro-centric and facility oriented. However, some progress is being made on the operational side, including the “Green Fleet.” That, given the entrenched status-quo nature of military specifications (mil specs) for combat equipment and fuels, is something. 

In any case, here are the salient passages.

(p-84) Crafting a Strategic Approach to Climate and Energy

Climate change and energy are two key issues that will play a significant role in shaping the future security environment. Although they produce distinct types of challenges, climate change, energy security, and economic stability are inextricably linked. The actions that the Department takes now can prepare us to respond effectively to these challenges in the near term and in the future.

(p. 87) Energy security for the Department means having assured access to reliable supplies of energy and the ability to protect and deliver sufficient energy to meet operational needs. Energy efficiency can serve as a force multiplier, because it increases the range and endurance of forces in the field and can reduce the number of combat forces diverted to protect energy supply lines, which are vulnerable to both asymmetric and conventional attacks and disruptions. DoD must incorporate geostrategic and operational energy considerations into force planning, requirements development, and acquisition processes. To address these challenges, DoD will fully implement the statutory requirement for the energy efficiency Key Performance Parameter and fully burdened cost of fuel set forth in the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act. The Department will also investigate alternative concepts for improving operational energy use, including the creation of an innovation fund administered by the new Director of Operational Energy to enable components to compete for funding on projects that advance integrated energy solutions.

(p. 88) The Department is increasing its use of renewable energy supplies and reducing energy demand to improve operational effectiveness, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in support of U.S. climate change initiatives, and protect the Department from energy price fluctuations. The Military Departments have invested in noncarbon power sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy at domestic installations and in vehicles powered by alternative fuels.

(p. 88-89) The Navy commissioned the USS Makin Island, its first electric-drive surface combatant, and tested an F/A-18 engine on camelina-based biofuel in 2009-two key steps toward the vision of deploying a “green” carrier strike group using biofuel and nuclear power by 2016. The Marine Corps has created an Expeditionary Energy Office to address operational energy risk, and its Energy Assessment Team has identified ways to achieve efficiencies in today’s highly energy-intensive operations in Afghanistan and Iraq in order to reduce logistics and related force protection requirements.

Download QDR

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