[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EW-10-09-13-Green-Military.mp3|titles=EW 10-09-13 Green Military]
Due to a combination of economics and national security, the U.S. military has become one of the biggest investors in green energy over the past five years.
Last year, the Department of Defense spent more than $20 billion dollars on energy and used more than 5 billion gallons of oil. Apart from the enormous expense, transporting oil in war zones is extremely dangerous. Roadside mines are a deadly hazard for oil transports.
By the time a gallon of gas reaches some remote outposts in Afghanistan, the cost of transporting it can reach as high as $400. Wars have been won and lost over the ability to fuel the vehicles at the front.
So it is no surprise that the military is getting into renewable energy in a big way. Solar installations are becoming more common on military bases. Field units are using mobile solar power setups for their bases and for charging equipment.
Solar equipment is getting cheaper, more efficient and portable. So its use is increasing. The Navy is looking into using biofuels on jet fighters. And the Army is looking into fuel cells to power tanks.
Overall, the Defense Department has a goal of deploying 3 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025. This is part of a goal set by the Bush administration to have the military get 25% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025. The military has an enormous carbon footprint, but it is trying to be greener.
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Web Links
U.S. Military Is Going Green
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/09/08/us-military-is-going-green.aspx
Photo, taken on April 2, 2013, courtesy of the U.S. Navy via Flickr.
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