On June 8th, 2011, U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-Colorado) announced legislation aimed to help the U.S. military reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by assisting the Defense Department in expanding existing renewable energy studies and pilot programs.

The Department of Defense Energy Security Act of 2011 was developed in partnership with the office of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-Arizona).

"The U.S. military pays a heavy price for its reliance on fossil fuel," reads a statement on Senator Udall's web site. "Osama bin Laden reportedly called our fuel convoys our military’s ‘umbilical cord,’ and we risk the lives of thousands of troops each year because of our dependence on fossil fuel in theater and at home."

"Decreasing dependency on foreign fossil fuel must be a military – and an American – priority."

Bill creates opportunity for branches of military to share information on renewables

The bill would create a Joint Contingency Base Resource Security Project, which Senator Udall says would help the service branches to share lessons learned as they study the best ways to incorporate renewable energy sources and fuel reduction initiatives.

Some existing programs cited by the Senator include the U.S. Marine Corps Experimental Forward Operating Base and the U.S. Army's pilot Net Zero Installations program.

The U.S. Marine Corps has identified its dependence upon fossil fuels as a logistical vulnerability, and earlier in 2011 released a strategy document outlining plans to reduce fossil fuel use 50% per capita as well as to increase operational renewable energy use 50% by 2025.

2011-06-10| Courtesy: Office of U.S. Senator Mark Udall | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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