with stories about military efforts addressing energy
issues. There is consensus among these documents
that the military will need to make significant, even
radical changes to ensure it can remain effective. In
response, the DOD is at the leading edge in pursu-
ing several initiatives, and has tremendous potential
to expand this lead. The Department’s commitment
to conservation is evident as military operations re-
ceived 16 of 31 energy and water management awards
from the Department of Energy in 2010. As Secretary
of Energy, Dr. Chu, stated: “Today’s award winners
show what is possible when it comes to implementing
energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the
federal government and beyond” (DoE 2010, 1).
In 2009, DOD facilities obtained 3.6% of electric-
ity from renewable sources, exceeding the Energy
Policy Act goal of 3% (DOD 2010a). The department
also purchased more than 3400 vehicles which rely on
alternative fuel, including hybrids and electrics, and
completed the infrastructure for 16 E-85 and/or B-20
alternative fueling stations. At the time of this writ-
ing, the DOD website featured a page called “DOD
Goes Green” with the majority of the stories empha-
sizing energy (http://www.defense.gov/home/feat-
ures/2010/1010_energy/). There is also a blog dedi-
cated to the military and its energy use (http://doden-
ergy.blogspot.com). Many of the activities reported in
these media are not military specific and can provide
models for non-defense communities, including using
golf carts instead of cars, installing solar panels and
constructing ‘green’ roofs. The Army is striving for
“net-zero” energy consumption by 2030. “Net-zero
energy means an installation or building produces as
much energy as it consumes, resulting in a net usage of
zero” (Lopez 2010, 1). This offers far-reaching oppor-
sharon
(sharon)
#1