{"id":13268,"date":"2016-05-24T20:00:20","date_gmt":"2016-05-25T01:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=13268"},"modified":"2016-05-25T15:48:14","modified_gmt":"2016-05-25T20:48:14","slug":"we-dont-do-green","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2016\/05\/24\/we-dont-do-green\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cWe Don\u2019t Do Green\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"NC
John A. Nicholson, Col., USMC (Ret), and EDF consultant (fourth from left), pictured with fellow Board members of the NC Heroes Fund, which provides grants to service members and their families who are experiencing financial difficulties as they transition from active duty back into civilian life.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By: John A. Nicholson, Col., USMC (Ret), and EDF consultant<\/em><\/p>\n

I cringed when I read this quote, attributed to a senior military representative in Scientific American<\/em><\/a>. I understood what he was trying to say, but the sound bite could easily be misinterpreted.<\/p>\n

The Department of Defense (DoD) most certainly \u201cdoes green,\u201d and it has for some time now. At the highest level of leadership, there is recognition that energy and environmental conservation is important. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have reinforced and brought to the forefront the importance of energy planning and, more importantly, its use and integration by our deployed forces. Furthermore, improved energy planning and use has played a significant role in reducing costs and improving the efficiency, resiliency, and security of military bases, facilities, and other installations that prepare DoD forces for their missions.<\/p>\n

DoD is the largest federal department, and its facilities range from office complexes and small villages, to large cities complete with their own airports. Having an understanding of where energy strategy and planning fits into the overall Pentagon puzzle is essential to comprehending the department\u2019s programs, policies, and mission to improve energy use and management.<\/p>\n

How energy is managed at the DoD<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) oversees the planning, use, and management of the DoD\u2019s entire energy portfolio. The USD(AT&L) has five Assistant Secretaries of Defense (ASD), including the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment (ASD(EIE)), which is where the bulk of energy planning and management occurs.<\/p>\n

[Tweet “\u201cWe Don\u2019t Do Green\u201d”]<\/p>\n

The ASD(EIE) provides budgetary, policy, and management oversight for DoD\u2019s acquisition and use of energy to support warfighting and base operations. The enterprise encompasses energy security, increased energy efficiency, and promotion of renewable energy, and includes more than 500 installations, 562,000 buildings and structures, and 25 million acres of land. The ASD(EIE) is also responsible for managing investments in DoD facilities, Base Realignment and Closure efforts, and Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health (ESOH) activities.<\/p>\n

Of the five major subsets within ASD(EIE), two sections are \u201cmore equal\u201d than the others: Operational and Installation Energy. From these two offices emanate the strategy, requirements, programs, and policies that drive DoD\u2019s energy efforts.\u00a0 Here is a quick overview:<\/p>\n