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Navy and Agriculture Secretaries Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Drive Renewable Energy Development

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Navy and Agriculture departments have forged a partnership to expedite the development and use of renewable energy, with a focus on biofuels. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on January 21, aimed at meeting aggressive energy targets and reducing the military's reliance on fossil fuels. The agreement will leverage the resources of the USDA, including research capability, to create second- and third-generation biofuels for military use, generating jobs and a cleaner environment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The MoU focuses on faster, cooperative development of biofuels and Navy and Marine Corps systems that can utilize renewable energy.
  • The Navy aims to reduce petroleum-based fuel consumption by 50% by 2015 and achieve net zero energy consumption at half of its shore installations by 2020.
  • The agreement creates an opportunity for the USDA to share technical, program management, and financial expertise to advance the production of renewable energy.
  • The partnership supports President Obama's vision of a coordinated federal effort to build a clean energy economy, create new jobs, and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
  • The Navy's energy targets include: considering energy efficiency as a factor in acquisition decisions, demonstrating a Green Strike Group by 2012, and reducing petroleum use in the Navy's commercial fleet by 2015.
  • The MoU involves three principal USDA research and development programs: Rural Development loan and grant programs, the Farm Service Agency's Biomass Crop Assistance Program, and the comprehensive bioenergy research program.

Statistics:

  • The Navy consumes 90% of the energy consumed by the federal government.
  • The cost of transporting fuel has exponentially increased, with a gallon of gasoline potentially costing up to $400 in extreme cases.
  • The Navy has set five energy targets: reducing petroleum-based fuel consumption by 57% by 2020, achieving net zero energy consumption at half of its shore installations by 2020, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels from volatile areas of the world.
  • The Navy aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels from volatile areas of the world and mitigate the risks associated with fuel convoys.

Sources:

  • [Access Intelligence, LLC, 2006, "Navy and Agriculture Secretaries Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Drive Renewable Energy Development" (citing official Navy and USDA statements) or
  • [Navy press release (date not specified), "Navy to Pursue Aggressive Energy Targets", citing Navy Secretary Ray Mabus' remarks]

Note: I have only extracted information that is mentioned in the text and have avoided any dates or details that are not explicitly stated in the original material.

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