Keeping the Future Bright: Department of Defense (DOD) Sustainable Energy Strategy for Installations

Abstract : The energy crisis of the 1970s brought an abrupt halt to the euphoric age of relatively cheap and abundant energy for the United States(US). Energy availability became a national security issue prompting a concerted national campaign to achieve energy independence and assure energy availability. As the Federal agency responsible for assuring national security and the largest consumer of energy in the Federal government, DOD developed an energy strategy focused on assuring energy independence and availability while fulfilling Federal energy goals. This research addressed the ability of DODs installation sustainable energy strategy to achieve Federal energy goals while supporting the nations energy independence and availability efforts. An examination of the US energy situation from 1970-2015, a thorough literature review, and an analysis of DODs current installation energy strategy revealed that DOD has only made sati factory's progress in 3 of 5 Federal energy goals. Despite significant improvements in reducing energy demands, increasing energy supply through renewable sources, and adapting the future force, DOD will remain deficient in achieving Federal energy goals unless the political. Economic, and cultural risk factors impeding strategy implementation are addressed.