Navy to Power Fleet with Biofuels
The U.S. Navy has set targets for the Navy and Marine Corps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels from volatile areas of the world, in part by increasing use of biofuels.
The goals are:
- include energy efficiency and energy footprint in purchasing decisions;
- demonstrate a "Green Strike Group" composed of nuclear vessels and ships powered by biofuels by 2012
- have a "Great Green Fleet" sailing by 2016 that includes biofuel-powered hybrid electric power systems and aircraft running on biofuels;
- phase in flex-fuel, hybrid, and electric vehicles to cut petroleum use 50% by 2015 for its fleet of 50,000 non-tactical commercial vehicles;
- produce at least half the energy required for shore-based installations from alternative sources by 2020, with 50% of all shore-based installations achieving net zero energy use;
- meeting 50% the Navy's total energy needs for ships, aircraft, tanks, vehicles, and shore installations from alternative sources by 2020. Costs of transporting fuel has increased exponentially; it can cost up to $400 to deliver a gallon of gasoline to the battlefield.
To meet the Navy's energy goals, its working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop advanced biofuels and other renewable energy systems. The USDA and the Navy signed a MOU on January 21 to pursue that goal, and they held an energy forum on April 6 in Honolulu, Hawaii, to advance the partnership.
As a result, the USDA's Agricultural Research Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Department of the Navy's Office of Naval Research, and the University of Hawaii have agreed to work with the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company on Maui to develop decision tools to assess the most sustainable opportunities for producing advanced biofuels and renewable electricity from sugarcane and other biomass crops grown in Hawaii. The Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company is Hawaii's largest agricultural operation and its last sugar plantation. See the press releases from the Navy and the USDA.
Federal Buildings Go Green with $4 Billion in Recovery Act Funds
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) reached the milestone of investing $4 billion in Recovery Act funds for energy efficiency in federal buildings nationwide.
Since the passage of the Recovery Act in 2009, the GSA has awarded construction projects to more than 500 companies, creating jobs in all 50 states. To accomplish this, the GSA streamlined operations to quickly award contracts and begin construction on hundreds of green projects.
GSA anticipates that all new and significantly upgraded federal buildings will achieve at least a LEED Silver certification.
Projects include: construction of an energy-efficient courthouse in Austin, Texas, incorporating high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, extensive use of natural light, and a green" roof; the installation of solar panels and insulation on the roof of the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center in Pennsylvania; and renovation of the Goodfellow Federal Center in St. Louis, Missouri, modernizing the 1941-vintage structure with advanced lighting systems, maximum daylight, a high-performance heating and cooling system, and solar hot water.
The GSA was given $5.5 billion under the Recovery Act to create green federal facilities. See the
GSA press release.
