Fueling the “Balance” A Defense Energy Strategy Primer
by Jerry Warner and P.W. Singer (Brookings Institution) … Underlying this effort are two complementary objectives. First, a significant percentage of the overall reduction in baseline energy will come from the department converting from petroleum to alternative forms of energy and increasing efficiency of use. Moving the DoD away from reliance on petroleum will also ultimately address the long-standing irony of fueling our defense establishment from a system that threatens our nation’s security. As such, our military can help “lead the way” for the nation by reducing its petroleum dependency.
Second, this effort can be accomplished without reduction of military capability in the resulting force. Indeed, pursuing lower energy consumption and petroleum dependency will ultimately increase the combat and sustainment capabilities of the DoD. Lower energy consumption and especially reduced reliance on petroleum-based products will give our military forces greater freedom of maneuver and reduced lines of communication across the entire spectrum of warfare from Expeditionary Operations to Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Operations. As a recent Pentagon report noted, “Energy is the key enabler of US military combat power.”3 The results will be practical, straightforward advantages achieved in a more efficient and economical manner. READ MORE Download PDF
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