What if I told you that a new policy would be good for the military, good for farmers, and good for the environment? You’d probably find that combination hard to believe. But, suppose I also told you that the U.S. Congress just killed it.
Yes, we’re talking about biofuels and the military.
Initiated during the Bush administration, the military biofuels program was designed to ensure that our armed forces—the nation’s largest customers of gasoline and diesel—would have access to the energy supplies needed to defend our country.
We’re not talking about fueling military trucks with corn-based ethanol. The military biofuels program played a key role in backing the research and development of biofuels that could replace things like petroleum-based jet fuel.
Because biofuels are largely grown by U.S. farmers, they can help free our nation from the threats of oil shortages, rising world oil prices, and geopolitical embargoes. They also come with the added benefit of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere.
Here’s the rub. Despite enthusiasm for the biofuels program throughout the military—with the U.S. Navy especially dedicated—conservatives have blocked the program on the grounds that it supports an agenda of action on climate change.
For now, the Department of Defense must continue to acquire its fuels from traditional petroleum sources, regardless of their price swings and strategic availability. When the admirals see a better way, does this represent common sense for our government?
Photo, taken on April 20, 2012, courtesy of Ms. Akr via Flickr.