Readiness Subcommittee

Opening Statement of Chairman Solomon Ortiz

“I thank our distinguished witnesses for appearing before this subcommittee today to discuss energy management and initiatives on military installations. 

“Today’s hearing is one of several held by this subcommittee related to the Department of Defense’s energy posture.  We have heard from the Defense Science Board’s Energy Security Task Force, the Government Accountability Office, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics on a broad range of energy issues. 

“Today’s hearing will focus on the many energy initiatives under way on military installations and the overarching strategies that guide these initiatives.  In many ways, through these strategies and initiatives, the Department has assumed a leadership role in addressing our nation’s energy challenges.

“Each of the military services and the Office of the Secretary of Defense have worked to develop energy strategies and goals.  Capping these efforts off, the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review identifies energy and its sister issue, climate change, as two key issues that will play a significant role in shaping the future national security environment.

“The military services have demonstrated willingness to be early adopters of new energy technologies and enablers of renewable and alternative energy projects.  They have started to lease electric vehicles, work towards net-zero installations, adopt advanced metering technologies, investigate micro-grid technologies, and partner with the private sector to develop wind, solar, geothermal, and waste-to-energy systems, to name just a few.

“Initiatives are accelerating not only in variety, but in size.  When it was completed in 2007, the 14.2 megawatt solar array at Nellis Air Force Base was the largest such array in the Americas.  Today, another military installation is contemplating partnering on a solar project 35 times larger!  This project would encompass as much as 14,000 acres and provide 500 megawatts of solar energy to the installation and to the grid. 

“This is an exciting prospect.  However, in a recent report conducted at this subcommittee’s request, the Government Accountability Office recognized that development of renewable energy projects is not always compatible with the primary mission of a DOD installation.

“I would like to hear what steps the Department is taking to ensure that large-scale energy projects on military installations don’t unintentionally impede a base’s primary mission or result in another form of encroachment.  While the Department’s initiatives have been accelerating inside of military installations, ‘outside-the-fenceline’ private-sector initiatives have been, too.

“The number of domestic renewable energy projects such as wind farms, solar towers and arrays has been increasing significantly in recent years.  These projects have great potential to enhance our energy security.  At the same time, I am concerned to learn that some of these energy projects, particularly large wind farms and solar towers, may have the potential to impair military readiness.

“Recent tests conducted by the Department of Defense, and recent experiences at some military installations, show that windmills can significantly affect radar performance, can obstruct  military training routes, and can interfere with military systems designed to operate in the electromagnetic spectrum.  These are significant challenges we must address.

“It is important that we understand how to balance energy security and military readiness, because our nation needs both.  I look forward to hearing the perspectives of our distinguished witnesses today on these and other issues of interest to the Subcommittee.

“Before I recognize Mr. Forbes, our distinguished Ranking Member, I would like to speak for one brief moment on a topic we will not focus on today but that is important and related, and that is operational energy. 

“This subcommittee created a new office for a Director for Operational Energy, to advise the Secretary of Defense and oversee the energy the Department uses for military operations.  I am pleased that a nominee has been selected, and I am hopeful that her Senate confirmation will happen quickly.  It is imperative that we round out the Department’s energy team with this key official dedicated to operational energy oversight.

“With that said, I look forward to thoughtful testimony on installation energy management and initiatives from the distinguished witnesses we have invited here today.  The Chair now recognizes the distinguished gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Forbes, for any remarks he would like to make.”

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