Nov. 4, 2011: Defense Department Speeds Move to Energy Efficiency, Renewables
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is accelerating its move to energy efficiency and renewable energy to reduce risks to the military, enhance energy security, and save money, according to a report released by The Pew Charitable Trusts. DOD’s clean energy investments increased 300 percent to $1.2 billion between 2006 and 2009. And the report, From Barracks to the Battlefield: Clean Energy Innovation and America's Armed Forces, projects clean energy spending will reach more than $10 billion annually by 2030.
DOD's priorities for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources have been driven by recent experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, where fuel shipments account for 80 percent of all supply convoys. The report finds that DOD’s major energy challenges include risks associated with transporting liquid fuels to the battlefield, growing oil price volatility, the impact of fuel dependence on operational effectiveness, and compliance with federal energy policies.