Pentagon Spends Economic Stimulus to Develop Alternative Fuels and Save Energy

[Christa]

The US Department of Defense is the largest consumer of energy in the United States spending $18 billion a year. Fueling jet engines and running generators at operating bases use up much of the Pentagon’s fuel.
Coupled with economics, dwindling natural resources, and the dangers of transporting fuel in war zones (half of all US casualties in Iraq are from attacks on fuel carrying convoys), the military plans to spend economic stimulus money on alternative fuels and energy conservation.

Traditionally, the Department of Defense has cared little about saving money. The recent shift towards alternative fuels as a military priority is an effort to reduce casualties rather than save natural resources or funds. “The honest-to-God truth, the most compelling reason to do it is it saves lives,” said Brigadier General Steven Anderson, director of operations and logistics for the Army. Saving money, preserving dwindling natural resources and lessening U.S. dependence on foreign sources are lesser priorities of the alternative fuels and energy conservation initiatives.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars have set the record for the most fuel consumption of any war in US history. Since the War on Terror began in 2001, the amount of oil consumption has increased from 50 million gallons to 500 million gallons a year at bases. Using Economic Stimulus Package money, the Pentagon has several alternative fuels and energy saving projects planned.

http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/13/pentagon-spends-economic-stimulus-money-to-develop-alternative-fuels-and-save-energy/