National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017

Floor Speech

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Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, I am also opposed to this amendment.

The DOD's employment of alternative energy is not about hugging trees; it is about improving our mission capabilities and saving lives.

The military's investments in alternative energy technologies not only make our troops safer and increase combat effectiveness, but they also reap government energy savings. Renewable energy systems reduce our reliance on foreign oil and have saved lives by cutting down on refueling trips in the battlefields.

Around 3,000 American soldiers were killed or wounded in Afghanistan while protecting fuel convoys. The military is already adopting cutting-edge renewable energy technologies, like transportable solar panels and backpacks used by marines to generate electricity.

Last August, I was at Naval Base Coronado when the Navy signed the largest renewable energy purchase by the Federal Government in history. The project will provide 210 megawatts of energy at an estimated savings of $90 million over the length of the contract.

Since 2009, the department estimates that they have saved over $1 billion through renewable energy projects on installations.

As we consider how to allocate the limited resources we have to support our servicemembers and keep Americans safe, it is counterproductive at best to prohibit the military from using funds on cost-saving alternative sources of energy and redirecting it toward mission priorities. A 21st century military with the capability to counter new and dynamic threats cannot be powered by the energy of yesterday.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose this amendment.

I urge my colleagues to join me in opposition.

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