Leading By Example: How Energy Innovation is Strengthening America’s Military

by Aaron Hull (Advanced Biofuels USA) The Pew Project on National Security, Energy, and Climate hosted an event titled Leading By Example: How Energy Innovation is Strengthening America’s Military on July 7, 2011. Those in attendance included former Senator John Warner of Virginia, who gave the briefing’s opening remarks emphasizing the importance of the military’s initial steps towards energy independence. Other presenters were The Honorable Sharon Burke, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Operational Energy Plans and Programs), the Honorable Katherine Hammak, the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment), the Honorable Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations, and Environment), and the Honorable Terry Yonkers, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment and Logistics).

After Senator Warner’s opening remarks, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Operational Energy Plans and Programs) began her presentation, emphasizing the tremendous cost of fuel for today’s military, with the Department of Defense spending over 13.2 billion dollars on petroleum in 2010. Secretary Burke stated the facts explicitly: moving energy across the battlefield is both hazardous and difficult, and US Transportation Command reported 1,100 attacks on US fuel convoys, resulting in over 3000 US casualties, and every US service member that is tasked with protecting supply lines could be strengthening relations with local forces or fighting insurgent militia. She then cited the Department of Defense’s new Operational Energy Strategy: more fight, less fuel; more options, less risk; more capabilities, less cost. The Secretary concluded her remarks by emphasizing that in order for the Department of Defense to be successful in securing energy initiatives, the private, civilian sector must be a long-term partner.

Assistant Secretary Hammack, opened her presentation by stating that the Army is leading the way in biofuel and alternative energy production, allocating $20 million in 2010 in order to reduce the demand load. She continued by citing other US Army initiatives to help reduce energy costs, including the usage of 4,000 new electric vehicles by 2014, as well as multiple net-zero solutions for bases, including Fort Irwin in California, where a new 500-megawatt solar power plant will help end the base’s reliance on the public electric grid. She concluded by emphasizing that the Army will continue to set the example, take risks, and try new initiatives to responsibly use energy.

The Army presentation was followed by Assistant Secretary Pfannenstiel showcasing the Navy’s extensive energy initiatives. The most significant of these projects is the launching of a carrier strike group referred to as the “Great Green Fleet” by 2016, which will run completely on alternative fuels, including F-18 Hornet fighters, an aircraft carrier, submarine, and two destroyers. Other Navy initiatives include a 50% reduction in the Navy’s petroleum usage by 2015, an increase to 50% of all shore-based energy from alternative sources, an assurance that 50% of Naval stations be net-zero in energy consumption by 2020, and ensuring that 50% of all Naval energy consumption come from alternative energy by 2020. In order to meet these ambitious goals, Pfannenstiel explained that the Navy will spend 4 billion dollars on energy programs over the next five years, establishing numerous XFOBS (Experimental Forward Operating Bases), and moving shore-side bases from the civilian grid onto “smart-meters” which can integrate biofuels and alternative sources. These technological changes will be coupled by an overall behavioral change that makes Navy personnel understand the value of energy, an educational program which will be executed with the help of the Naval War College.

The final speaker, Assistant Secretary Yonkers, represented the US Air Force, which he stated accounts for 54% of the Department of Defense’s fuel consumption. Yonkers emphasized the importance of establishing alternative fuels for the Air Force as a means of preventing price volatility and securing reliability of supply. In the last decade, JP-8 jet fuel went from $3/gal to $4/gal, adding an extra $2.3 billion to the Air Force’s budget. This kind of uncontrollable price differentiation urged the Air Force to focus on developing a secure posture that reduces demand, increases supply, and changes the overall attitude. The Air Force has 37 bases using alternative, renewable sources for a portion of energy demands, such as Nellis AFB in Nevada with a solar-grid that provides 25% of the base’s energy. Yonkers also stated that 99% of Air Force aircraft are capable of flying on blended fuels like ethanol, which are drop-ins (require no engine modifications) for JP-8 jet fuel. These fuels will help the Air Force become powered by 50% domestically produced fuel by 2016.

Senator Warner closed the briefing with his closing remarks noting that “We have a long way to go,” with regards to energy initiatives in the military. Senator Warner served as the Secretary of the Navy under President Nixon. READ MORE