Findings

Excerpts from the findings and recommendations of Powering America’s Economy: Energy Innovation at the Crossroads of National Security Challenges

 America’s energy choices are inextricably linked to national and economic security.

“…The environmental and health implications of fossil fuel use have been apparent for decades, and the risks to the nation’s future national security and economic well being are becoming clearer by the day. The nation’s heavy use of fossil energy leaves America unacceptably vulnerable to hostile nations and is detrimental to American foreign policy…"

The clean energy technology revolution presents great challenges and great opportunities.

“…Significantly altering fossil fuel consumption in the United States…will require developing alternative sources of energy and greatly increasing energy efficiency; [and] it will require the long-term commitment of the United States government and American citizens… Other countries (notably China, Spain, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates) have already recognized these economic benefits and are taking aggressive action to ensure the clean energy technology opportunity is not missed; the United States must seize the moment and lead.”

Energy business-as-usual is not a viable option for the United States.

“Continued over-reliance on fossil fuels will increase the risks to America’s future economic prosperity and will thereby diminish the military’s ability to meet the security challenges of the rapidly changing global strategic environment. By taking bold leadership actions now, the nation can turn the growing energy and economic challenges into great opportunity.”

The Department of Defense can be a powerful catalyst of energy innovation.

“… DOD is uniquely positioned to spur clean energy innovation. By harnessing the leadership characteristics inherent in its military culture, leveraging its organizational discipline, fine-tuning technology development and energy acquisition processes, and cultivating strategic relationships within the federal interagency network—particularly with the Department of Energy (DOE)…”