I have written before about the military’s push for alternative energy sources. Not necessarily because they want to be innovative, but for purely logistical reasons. The need to get power to the troops- often within the enemy confines, which adds the danger of attack to the delivery requirements. Which is why there now is an Assistant Secretary for Operational Energy in the Department of Defense [DOD] hierarchy. (Shannon Burke assumed this position in 2010.)
Consider these facts:
- Most of the energy demands by our government are the result of DOD efforts.
- More than 1% of the entire US demand for fuel arises from the DOD.
- The DOD dropped $17 billion on fuel in 2011 (about 0.12% of the US GNP)!!!
- Since 1945 (World War II), fuel use per troop has increased 20 X.
- In our current 2 wars, one marine is killed for every 50 fuel convoy transports. AND
- Every rise of $1 per barrel of fuel (peanuts compared to the current fuel costs increases) means that the US Navy spends another $ 30 million.
In 2010, the DOD used almost 900 trillion BTU of energy (889.6 to be exact, according to the US Department of Energy). About 60% (529 trillion) of that total was allocated for jet fuel needs, with fuel oil and gasoline accounting for almost another 18% of that total energy demand.
Yet, many a party partisan questions the need for alternative fuels. (It must be bad if the other party is for it, right?). One congressman even averred that the Secretary of the Navy must be confused in his job description, since he is not the Secretary of Energy, why is he purchasing so much biofuel?
The answer is simple. Because we must. To supply our troops and keep them safe.
Very interesting. Makes good logistical and economical sense!
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And, if we’re lucky, their developments will “leak” into the civilian sector, Alessa!
I have an alternative idea (although it might seem a bit heretical):
Why not take the troops back home?
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Eleni:
That is a great idea. However, fuel supply issues will still be a factor. After all, if your military has no fuel, your enemies will so note- and your deterrent capabilities will be for naught. And, then….?
Roy
It’s funny to me, to think that not in the private sector or because it’s the right thing to do, but because there is war we will probably develop the alt fuel source that saves us from fossil fuels, and helps us clean up our planet. I guess it proves every tick has a tock. I am ALL FOR keeping our troops safe, so there is no way I’d complain about it! It just seems to me that doing the right thing and developing alt fuel for the right reason would be as noble. I know this wasn’t exactly the point of your post 🙂 but it is something it made me think right way. Now, if aliens would come an be a threat we’d get our star trek stuff over night 😉 Thank you I share this post, it is as you can tell by my comment thought provoking!
I have a feeling that when the aliens come, our meager fuel supplies will not be the issue. After all, they’ve conquered space… We can’t even deal with issues on this planet, Lisa.
Why would they come considering what we have done to our planet. And if they have seen any of our movies they would know that our diseases will kill them.
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I don’t know, Roberta. But, I’ll keep those questions in mind, when and if they arrive…
Roy