U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chris Brown/Released
The Future of Clean Energy in the Military
ASP CEO, BGen. Stephen Cheney, USMC (ret.) was featured in Military Dive discussing the future of the military’s clean energy mission within a Trump administration. The article, Will Trump Disrupt the Military’s Clean Energy Mission?, provided an overview of the previous efforts, both from former President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, to improve energy efficiency and build renewable capabilities within the military. This included agreements between utilities and military bases to supply renewable energy and the building of the U.S. Navy’s Great Green Fleet.
The article suggests that the Trump Administration would be mistaken to role back these programs. ASP Consensus Member, U.S. Navy Captain Jim Goudreau (ret.), argues that,
“The efforts the military have undertaken over the last five years to add renewables and efficiency will ultimately result in a force that has greater endurance, greater mission stay-time, and greater lethality.”
In regards to the Trump administration, ASP CEO, BGen. Stephen Cheney, noted that the new Secretary of Defense, former Marine Corps General Jim Mattis, may be an unlikely supporter of renewables. Gen. Cheney served with Secretary Mattis many times and highlighted Secretary Mattis’ dedication to security, saying,
“I believe he will look at the use of renewables from the security perspective and ask if it will help make this nation more secure, protect our armed forces, and make the force more efficient. Not polluting the atmosphere is a plus but the overriding factor for him is that it is an important contribution to national security.”
Gen. Cheney explained how as a base commander he also felt “tethered” to the local electric grid, and projects for renewable energy helped the base move away from that dependence, while also limiting CO2 production. Such projects are critical for improving the resiliency of the bases both at home and abroad.
For the full article, click here.
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