DoD Energy Security Task Force
Abstract
The Department has made progress to incorporate energy considerations in its planning and business processes. In May 2006, the Secretary of Defense commissioned the Director, Defense Research and Engineering to chair the Energy Security Task Force (ESTF) to define an actionable investment roadmap for lowering DoD's fossil fuel requirements and developing alternate fuels for use by the Department. The Task Force is comprised of senior leaders from across the Department with a stake in energy, including requirements development, technology, acquisition, logistics, installations and environment, policy, and the budget. By taking a systems approach, integrating different functional areas, we can better understand the indirect and potentially negative unintended consequences of various courses of action, thereby improving decision making for the Department. Energy is a strategic resource that has significant security, economic, geo-strategic and environmental implications for the nation and important operational implications for the Department. For example, in FYs 2006 and 2007, DoD's total energy costs exceeded $13 billion, and an additional $5 billion has been requested in FY 2008 obligational authority to ensure we could support the increased fuel costs. Like the nation, DoD must focus on reducing demand through culture change and increased efficiency. The intensity of day-to-day fuel demand in Iraq and Afghanistan is greater than in any war in history. This has required ever greater numbers of large logistics convoys along vulnerable lines of communication that are prime targets for insurgent forces. Protecting these convoys impose a high burden on our combat forces, by diverting combat units from direct engagement to force protection missions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 15, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA520168