Bill Tackles US Military Energy Consumption

Bill Tackles US Military Energy Consumption

"The National Defense Energy Savings Act is a huge step forward for energy efficiency, environmental protection..."

- Alliance Vice President Mark Hopkins

Washington, D.C. - April 13, 2004 [SolarAccess.com] Are hybrid Humvees on the horizon for the U.S. military? A bipartisan bill introduced by the Alliance to Save Energy's Vice-Chair Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) with Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Jack Reed (D-RI) would increase the energy efficiency of military vehicles, have far-reaching money- and energy-saving benefits, and enhance national security, the Alliance said.

"The National Defense Energy Savings Act (NDESA) will expand the highly successful Energy Savings Performance Contracts program into an area in which it will help increase the combat power of American armed forces. Moreover, it will do so at no cost to the taxpayers," said Sen. Susan Collins.

Under this bill, the Department of Defense (DOD) would establish an Energy Savings Performance Contract effort with 10 pilot projects. Under these contracts, the government would pay no up-front costs for private contractors' energy-efficiency upgrades to military vehicles such as tanks, planes, and ships. Instead, the contractors would be paid with the money saved from lower fuel costs. Upon completion of the contracts, DOD would retain all additional savings.

"The National Defense Energy Savings Act is a huge step forward for energy efficiency, environmental protection, wise use of taxpayer dollars, and increased national security," said Alliance Vice President Mark Hopkins.

NDESA can help provide greater combat range for military aircraft, tanks, ships, and other weapons platforms, because replacing an obsolete engine with a more efficient one allows any weapons system to go further on a gallon of gas. Also, newer, more energy-efficient engines would be more reliable and require fewer maintenance personnel and materials.

An Alliance fact sheet on NDESA is on the Alliance website the following link.

For Further Information:

• NDESA information (.pdf)

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