On September 15, the U.S. Army’s Energy Initiatives Office (EIO) Task Force will officially start serving as the hub for the development of large-scale renewable energy projects on military bases and installations worldwide – providing needed expertise and funding.   

The creation of the task force was announced last month in Cincinnati by Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh at the GovEnergy Conference.  The group will report to The Honorable Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment. Appointed by President Barack Obama in June 2010, Hammack has more than 30 years of experience in energy and sustainability advisory services; and was formerly a leader in Ernst & Young LLP’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice.

“The Army must leverage opportunities in renewable energy, which will enhance energy security,” commented Hammack.

The EIO Task Force is expected to enable the Army to meet its renewable energy goals; as well as to address increasing security challenges, escalating fuel prices, and stricter federal mandates.  According to McHugh, it “…will help the Army build resilience through renewable energy, while streamlining our business practices – so developers can invest in and build an economically viable, large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.”

He noted that, “To meet a goal of 25 percent renewable energy by 2025, the Army must use every opportunity to be energy efficient and draw power from alternative and…renewable energy sources.”

The scale of renewable energy production that the Army needs in order to provide enhanced energy security is estimated to require investment of up to $7.1 billion over the next 10 years, in cooperation with the private sector.  This level of investment is expected to generate 2.1 million megawatt hours of power annually for the Army.

“Addressing our energy security needs is operationally necessary, fiscally prudent, and vital to mission accomplishment,” McHugh said.

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