By Eric Lindeman
Expanding on cooperative agreements that are already in place among the Navy and Marines Corps and the Department of Agriculture, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week signed a memorandum of understanding to encourage faster development and use of renewable energy.
“In order to secure the strategic energy future of the United States, create a more nimble and effective fighting force and protect our planet from destabilizing climate changes,” Mabus said during the Jan. 21 signing ceremony outside the Pentagon, “I have committed the Navy and Marine Corps to meet aggressive energy targets that go far beyond previous measures.”
The new agreement focuses on faster, cooperative development of biofuels as well as Navy and Marine Corps systems that can utilize renewable energy.
Vilsack stressed that in addition to its national security and environmental objectives, the Memordanum of Understanding (MoU) creates an opportunity to “use the resources of USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), including research capability, to create second and third generation biofuels for military use” while also creating “an enormous jobs generator.” Farmers, he said, will sell raw materials to biofuels processing facilities that still need to be “designed, built and operated.”
“This MoU is about creating jobs, a cleaner environment and a secure America,” he added, all priorities of the Obama administration.
“This agreement is part of President Obama’s vision of a coordinated federal effort to build a clean energy economy, create new jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Vilsack said. “USDA looks forward to working with the Navy and other public and private partners to advance the production of renewable energy by sharing technical, program management and financial expertise.”
Early last year, the Navy established a Naval Energy Office within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Installations and Environment to develop business models and strategies that leverage public and private investment to achieve naval, defense, and national energy goals.
In a public announcement on Jan. 21, the Navy said, “From a strategic perspective, the objective is to reduce reliance on fossil fuels from volatile areas of the world. Tactically, on the battlefield, the costs of transporting fuel have exponentially increased; in extreme cases, a gallon of gasoline could cost up to $400.”
“Even more serious and sobering,” Mabus said during the ceremony, “we are putting our sailors and Marines in harm’s way as fuel convoys often meet a lethal enemy.” He emphasized that partnering with USDA supports his vision for energy reform and, at the same time, supports his overarching goal of increasing warfighting capability.
Last October, Mabus set out five goals for cutting petroleum-based fuel consumption, while increasing efficiency and use of renewable energy. The targets addressed both naval operations and shore-based installations. They include:
- When awarding contracts, energy efficiency and the energy footprint will be considered as additional factors in acquisition decisions.
- By 2012, a Green Strike Group composed of nuclear vessels and ships powered by biofuels will be demonstrated. By 2016, the Strike Group will sail as a Great Green Fleet composed of nuclear ships, surface combatants equipped with hybrid electric alternative power systems running on biofuels, and aircraft running on biofuels.
- By 2015, petroleum use in the Navy’s 50,000 non-tactical commercial fleet will be cut in half, by phasing in hybrid, flex fuel and electric vehicles.
- By 2020, at least half of shore-based installations’ energy requirements will be supplied from alternative sources. Also, half of all shore installations will be net zero energy consumers.
- By 2020, half of the Navy’s total energy consumption for ships, aircraft, tanks, vehicles and shore installations will come from alternative sources.
In his remarks, the Navy secretary acknowledged the military uses 90 percent of the energy consumed by the federal government, but added, “In achieving these energy targets, the Navy and Marine Corp will, through every action and every program, improve the strategic or tactical warfighting capabilities of our forces.
“Through alternative energy use, improved technological efficiencies, and biofuel development, we are going to improve the range and endurance of our ships and our aircraft, reduce their reliance on a vulnerable supply chain, and create a resistance to the external shocks that come from over-reliance on a fragile global oil infrastructure. The stakes are clear and the stakes are high. Our response must be equal to the challenge.”
Mabus said that President Obama’s declaration that energy reform is a “national security imperative” underscores the necessity for the government to address the issue in bold fashion. “The stakes are clear, the stakes are high and as our President said at the Climate Summit in Copenhagen, we choose bold action over inaction.”
On the USDA side, three principal research and development programs will be involved in work under the MoU. They are:
- Rural Development loan and grant programs for developing renewable energy systems and helping agricultural producers and businesses adopt energy efficiency improvements.
- The Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Biomass Crop Assistance Program, which supports the production of crops for conversion to bioenergy, biobased products and power.
- The comprehensive bioenergy research program, through the Research, Education and Economics Division, for developing new varieties and hybrids of bioenergy feedstocks.
Mabus and Vilsack were joined at the MoU signing by a number of dignitaries, among them, Rep. Mike McIntire (D-N.C.). A member of the House Agriculture Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, McIntire said, “The nexus between agriculture and our armed forces speaks volumes about the insight we should have with biofuels, the innovation we should pursue in promoting our opportunities for both jobs and energy independence, and the positive result that will continue to help America be the invincible power that it has been and always should be.”
In a prepared statement issued the next day, House Armed Service Commitee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) commended the Navy and Agriculture leaders on the new agreement.
“These efforts reduce our need for foreign oil and enhance national security,” he said, “but also have the potential to boost economic activity in rural America, create good paying jobs, and reduce air pollution. I’m also optimistic that many of the innovations developed through this Navy-USDA partnership will help us reduce our national energy consumption and increase our use of renewable energy.”