WHY THE NAVY SEEKS BIOFUEL: A PERSPECTIVE FROM THE ECONFERENCE

During the 2012 ECOnference, co-presented by the Batten College of Engineering and Technology's affiliated center, Business Gateway, and Inside Business, the head of the Navy's energy office asserted that the Navy is pushing hard for more effective fuel sources. The reasoning is not exclusively to save the Earth. Instead, the naval representative told the nearly 200 people in attendance that it wants fuel alternatives to keep its enemies at bay, the country protected and its troops alive.

Capt. James C. Godreau told a group of engineers and businesspeople at Old Dominion University's ECOnference last week that the Navy's leading role in developing biofuel - a role that has caused controversy - has nothing to with politics or partisanship.

The Navy plans to spend $1 billion next fiscal year for operational and shore energy initiatives. Some members of Congress have questioned whether it's the Navy's place to lead the way in clean energy development.

"This is about one thing and one thing only - capability," Godreau said. "That's the only reason we care. That's why we are spending billions of dollars to be more effective and more efficient.

"[Navy] SEALs don't care about saving the Earth," he said. "SEALs don't care if it's politically correct. Biofuel reduces their vulnerability and gives them an advantage over the enemy," he said.

Godreau said the Navy is spending up to $4 billion per year on petroleum, and that every time the price of a barrel of oil goes up $1, it cost the Navy $30 million, and it's crucial that the military find other fueling sources.

"We depend on it," he said. "We're addicted to it.

By 2020, 50 percent of the Navy's energy consumption will come from alternative sources and the Navy plans to reduce its petroleum use in its commercial vehicle fleet by 50 percent.

To continue reading, click here.