Chief of Naval Operations joins chorus of lawmakers, generals, admirals calling for US biofuels focus

In Washington, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jon Greenert, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA), and Lieutenant General John Castellaw (USMC, ret.) joined the chorus of voices calling on the US Senate to support the Department of Defense’s energy innovation programs.

Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, writing Senator Mark Udall of Colorado, stated: While the Navy does not intend to purchase alternative liquid fuels for operational use until they are price-competitive with petroleum-based fuels…I support the Secretary of the Navy’s efforts with the Departments of Energy and Agriculture to accelerate the establishment of a mastic alternative fuels industry through the Defense Production Act Title III. The provision in HR 4310m, section 314 would restrict the Navy’s ability to pursue access to alternative energy sources to power the Fleet. I believe this will impede America’s energy security.”

In a press conference organized by the Truman National Security Project. Lt. Gen. John Castellaw said, “Our dependence on oil creates strategic operational and tactical risk for our service men and women. It also makes our military subject to price and supply shocks. Moving away from oil reduces that risk and ensures we remain the most capable and effective fighting force on the planet. And that is what this is all about. This is not about politics or saving the polar bears. It is about being effective as a fighting force. We advocate for a reduction in the vulnerability that a dependence on oil poses. The military is leading the way to achieve this goal and we should support it.”

In  the same press conference, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) explained how the provisions passed in the House Defense Authorization Bill threaten to undercut our military’s strategy to keep America safe with clean, renewable energy. He said, “These amendments were also added last year in the House and we were able to strip it out in conference but these are important energy issues and they aren’t getting enough attention this time. The Department of Defense spends more money on energy than anyone else in the U.S. so they need alternatives, and you aren’t going to get alternatives unless you are going to take some time to develop them. Both of the provisions passed last week are direct blows to a sensible energy policy for the country as well as the Department of Defense.”

Last week, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act which included provisions that would chain the military to oil by making it all but impossible for the Department of Defense to buy clean fuels.