America’s current energy posture undermines its economic security and constitutes a serious and urgent threat to national security. However, the Department of Defense (DoD) could help turn this potential threat into the next great American opportunity, according to a board of 15 top-ranking admirals and generals.
A report released this week by the Military Advisory Board (MAB) of CNA, a not-for-profit research organization, stresses that economic security is integral to American national security. Without a strong economy, the United States has neither a strong defense, nor effective international influence.
“We need to remain competitive in the world as we move toward a future of green, sustainable energy,” said General Charles F. “Chuck” Wald, USAF (Ret.). “The biggest motivation to do it is national security.”
Like the space race, the race to develop and own clean energy technology has enormous and long-range strategic implications for national security. If it does not lead in the race to develop and deploy clean energy technology, the United States will have to buy it from other countries–and remain as dependent on foreign nations to meet our future energy needs, just as we are today on oil.
Other nations are pursuing clean energy’s economic benefits, and becoming world leaders in clean technologies. China, Spain, Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have made great strides in taking advantage of the economic opportunities clean technologies produce. The report notes, “While the United States cannot compete with many nations in low-cost manufacturing, it can lead in the realm of developing cutting edge technologies and innovation in research and development.”
Because of its size, the considerable amount of energy it consumes, and its extensive experience in technological innovation, the Department of Defense (DoD) is uniquely positioned to spur clean energy innovation. According to the report, “DoD is in a position to help drive this change–for itself and the nation as a whole.”
“Numerous widely adopted technologies, including the jet engine, gas turbines, solid-state electronics, and the Internet were pioneered by the United States military,” the report observes.
DoD’s partnership with the Department of Energy (DoE) is critical–DoE has a robust research and development capability for energy technologies and a vast knowledge base, while DoD provides a large-scale ability to demonstrate, test, fund and field new energy technologies. This partnership could greatly accelerate clean energy technologies through the pipeline to make them available to the American people as soon as possible.
Chairman of the MAB General Gordon Sullivan, USA (Ret.), said, “The DoD-DoE partnership, which has been successful in the past, could be instrumental in the move away from fossil fuels if there is a willingness to empower this team to seek clean, renewable, and economical sources of power for domestic use.”
Energy business as usual is not an option, the report says, noting, “The United States government should take bold and aggressive action to support clean energy technology innovation and significantly decrease the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels.” With bold and visionary leadership, the nation can turn the growing energy and economic challenges into great opportunity. U.S. policymakers must provide a clear and predictable market signal that accounts for the enormous costs and risks already associated with the nation’s fossil fuel dependence.
The MAB, which produced the landmark 2007 report “National Security and the Threat of Climate Change” and the 2009 “Powering America’s Defense: Energy and the Risks to National Security,” is comprised of retired 2-, 3- and 4-star flag and general officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve. The board includes a former Army Chief of Staff, Commanders of U.S. forces in global regions, and leaders in logistics, procurement, research and development, engineering, nuclear energy, and ocean management.
Their 2007 report found that climate change constitutes a “threat multiplier” because projected impacts will exacerbate existing security risks. Building on the 2007 report, the 2009 report stated “Our approach to energy and our approach to climate change have profound impacts on each other–and both have impacts on our national security.”
The full report, "Powering America’s Economy: Energy Innovation at the Crossroads of National Security" is available at the link below.
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