WASHINGTON (NNS) — Worldwide throughout the month of October, naval commands are using Energy Action Month 2015 as an opportunity to strengthen their workforce’s commitment to responsible energy use as an enabler of the mission.
The Navy’s Energy Action Month theme for this year is “Power. Presence.” The theme makes clear the connection between the energy operating forces depend on and the Navy’s commitment to be on station when and where our nation requires, 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Without the fuel needed to resupply conventionally powered ships and aircraft and the electricity needed to run the shore facilities that support those operational platforms, the Navy’s ability to deter threats, put munitions on target and be responsive in humanitarian assistance/disaster relief scenarios could be seriously degraded.
Navy commands will promote the Energy Action Month theme and activities with posters, electronic displays and social media posts that highlight energy saving tips, programs and initiatives. Numerous senior leaders throughout the Navy will release short videos on energy-related topics during October. The content will be posted on https://www.facebook.com/navalenergy and command websites/social media channels.
On the morning of October 14, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will participate in an energy roundtable with David Crane, president and CEO of NRG and Ira Ehrenpreis, Silicon Valley venture capitalist and Tesla Motors board member. Phyllis Cuttino, director, Clean Energy Initiative for The Pew Charitable Trusts, will moderate the discussion. The event will take place at National Defense University’s Eisenhower School on the grounds of Ft. McNair in Washington, DC, and is open to the media.
The Navy is also launching a new version of its Energy Warrior app this month, and will release new videos highlighting Navy personnel who are exploring new technologies and pursuing innovative practices to optimize energy use. The app is available for free download at app stores, and the videos can be viewed on the Navy’s Energy Warrior TV YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkJiid-zKaaD525DZHuEOsg.
In a recent video, Rear Adm. Doug Morton, director of the Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division, challenged Navy personnel to find solutions for reducing energy consumption and submit their ideas to [email protected]
“Being energy smart gives our Navy a marked advantage over our adversaries,” said Morton. “Think about how you and your command use energy, then come up with innovative ideas to reduce consumption.”
The U.S. Navy currently uses an average of 3.2 million gallons of fuel daily. Annually, the Navy accounts for 28 percent of DoD’s total petroleum use.